Diptera.info

Posted by Markus Gebel on 29-07-2014 22:48

Hello

2 weeks ago i photographed this big robberfly (26-30mm) in northern Spain.
I think they looks like 'Machimus gonatistes', but I don't know which other machimus-species in Spain would be possible.

best regards
Markus

Posted by Quaedfliegh on 29-07-2014 23:34

Hmmm, Spanish Machimus species are hard to identify (i haven't found a key yet that includes all endemic species) i would think the hypopygium does not fit M. gonatistes (http://www.robberflies.info/keyger/images/800/Asilinae/Machimus/gonatistes_m1_11_COGG.jpg). To me M. fimbriata is an option but that description doesn't fit entirely either. In short, i'm puzzled as usual

Posted by Markus Gebel on 31-07-2014 21:11

Hello Reinoud

You meaned Machimus fimbriatus ;-).

Thanx for your idea!!!

best wishes
Markus

Posted by Quaedfliegh on 01-08-2014 20:51

Machimus arthriticus has bristles on the underside of femur 1 and has no projection or a tuft of hair on hind edge of eighth sternite. This one has no bristles on the underside of femur 1 and does have at least a tuft of hair on the edge of sternite eighth. Besides that M arthriticus has for a large part whitish bristles on back half (behind transverse suture) of scutum. It has also for a large part yellowish white bristles on legs. This one seems to have mainly black bristles. http://waarneming.nl/foto/view/5197450

So it is something else, with Engel the nearest i get is fimbriatus.

Edited by Quaedfliegh on 01-08-2014 20:54

Posted by jaho on 03-08-2014 01:28

Point for you, it must had been too early for me though. Now I see those two significant features, which hadn't been clear for me earlier - the large size which doesn't fit my type at all and the lack of those unfortunate bristles. You're right that it must be something else but keep in mind it's still Spain huh...