Diptera.info

Posted by Thomas Brand on 10-06-2013 11:19

Hello,

I found larvae feeding on/in a Yucca shoot tip, which obviously suffers .... Is there any Diptera known to feed on Yucca? Is it Syrphidae? If it is necessary, I can try to make a more detailed picture of a larva.

Thanks a lot!
Thomas

Posted by Paul Beuk on 10-06-2013 12:15

Just wondering whether the larvae are the cause of the damage or are just profiting from it... I suspect these are larvae of an acalyptrate fly. The consitions are similar to those that might harbour larvae of Setisquamalonchaea fumosa but that is just a long shot. I suggest you try to rear them.

Posted by lauragisloti on 10-06-2013 15:27

Thomas Brand wrote:
Hello,

I found larvae feeding on/in a Yucca shoot tip, which obviously suffers .... Is there any Diptera known to feed on Yucca? Is it Syrphidae? If it is necessary, I can try to make a more detailed picture of a larva.

Thanks a lot!
Thomas

Thomas,

In South America, Neosilba perezi (Lonchaeidae) is found feeding on cassava shoots

Posted by Thomas Brand on 11-06-2013 10:29

Thanks! I will try to rear them. However, I have no experience ind oing so and just hope that there will be some success ...

Thomas

Posted by lauragisloti on 11-06-2013 17:09

Great! Please tell me if adults emerge.

Posted by Thomas Brand on 12-06-2013 09:31

I will certainly need your help to identify it - would be hopeless without this forum in this challenge! As soon as I have a photo of pupa and/or adult I have to ask again.

Thomas

Posted by lauragisloti on 12-06-2013 12:26

It will be a pleasure to collaborate! See Neosilba perezi larvae in cassava shoots.

Edited by lauragisloti on 12-06-2013 12:28

Posted by Iain MacGowan on 13-06-2013 09:17

very interesting - Just hope that yopu manage to breed through a male so that Laura can make an identification - it will almost certainly require an examination of the genitalia

http://lonchaeidae.myspecies.info/

Posted by Thomas Brand on 27-06-2013 07:56

#10

Hi,

after one week abscence I found today three adults, unfortunately dead. I am not able to make good photos of them. Sorry. But I could send the bodies to some of you specialists (perferable Germany/Europe). Anybody there?
There are two more pupae as far as I can see (maybe inside the plant debris are more).

Thomas

Posted by Iain MacGowan on 01-07-2013 10:18

#11

Thomas

Is it possible to take a very geneal picture of the bodies just so I can see if they are Lonchaeidae ?? they should be all shining balck with black halteres

Posted by Thomas Brand on 02-07-2013 11:11

#12

Hello,

no, not black halteres or bodies. But the colour might be changed because I stored them in alcohol for a short time.
I attach two photos.

regards
Thomas

Edited by Thomas Brand on 02-07-2013 11:12

Posted by Thomas Brand on 03-07-2013 06:11

#15

Thanks. Probably the larvae are rather scavengers than pests, right?
Thomas