Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Shiny fly with orange patches, East England, Sept => Stomorhina lunata (male?)
#1
Please help me identify this shiny fly with orange side/ventral abdomen, photographed on 18 Sept in Ipswich, East Suffolk, UK, feeding on Mint flowers in my garden.
Best wishes,
Martin
#5
Stomorhina lunata (Calliphoridae)
#6
Thanks Tony.
Am I right in thinking that this is male specimen?
Posted by
sd on 28-09-2013 08:04
#7
Hi Martin,
Yes, this is the male (orange side patches). Nice record -its a parasite of locust eggs, so its regarded as a late Summer migrant in the UK. (Though there is discussion whether it can also use grasshopper eggs)
regards, Steve
#8
Thanks Steve,
Interestingly I found a locust nymph in the park next door last year!
It was thought to be an escapee...
#9
I have received some interesting information about this species from Dr Meenakshi Bharti who is an entomologist working in India on on Calliphoridae from North-west Himalaya. Dr Bharti reported in the Facebook Diptera group that this species also feed on ants broods and larviposits in the ant nests. She has collected a lot from Himalayas. As this was the first time I have seen reference to this, I though it might be of wider interest...
Posted by
Zeegers on 11-10-2013 19:29
#10
Hi Martincito
This is 99,9 % certain incorrect and due to a misidentification: she is referring to other Rhiiini. If there is material available, I am happy to review it.
Theo
Posted by
Zeegers on 22-03-2016 19:27
#12
i wisely left 0.1 % open for doubt ..... Which I can niw use !
Theo
#13