Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Shiny fly with orange patches, East England, Sept => Stomorhina lunata (male?)

Posted by Martin Cooper on 27-09-2013 22:29
#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

Edited by Martin Cooper on 27-09-2013 23:30

Posted by Martin Cooper on 27-09-2013 22:30
#2

.

Posted by Martin Cooper on 27-09-2013 22:30
#3

.

Posted by Martin Cooper on 27-09-2013 22:30
#4

.

Posted by Tony Irwin on 27-09-2013 23:11
#5

Stomorhina lunata (Calliphoridae)

Posted by Martin Cooper on 27-09-2013 23:18
#6

Thanks Tony.
Am I right in thinking that this is male specimen?

Edited by Martin Cooper on 27-09-2013 23:28

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

Posted by Martin Cooper on 28-09-2013 08:17
#8

Thanks Steve,
Interestingly I found a locust nymph in the park next door last year!
It was thought to be an escapee...

Posted by Martin Cooper on 11-10-2013 11:39
#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 Martin Cooper on 22-03-2016 12:29
#11

This may be relevant to the association between ants and Stomorhina lunata...
http://link.sprin...016-0480-4

Posted by Zeegers on 22-03-2016 19:27
#12

i wisely left 0.1 % open for doubt ..... Which I can niw use !

Theo

Posted by Martin Cooper on 22-03-2016 19:40
#13

Smile