Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Tachinidae, May 29, 2007
#1
Found in a container with Lepidoptera pupae, but I'm ignorant what was the host
. Size 10 mm. Prosternum a bit deformed, although I remember I handled it with enough care...
#2
A dorsal view + the head.
Posted by
ChrisR on 29-05-2007 10:20
#3
Nilea hortulana perhaps?
#4
Thanks Chris - maybe I'll have some time and try to key it myself before Theo strikes
(but it's much easier to key a new
Platypezidae...)
Posted by
Zeegers on 29-05-2007 15:54
#5
Chris, excellent call !
I puzzled me.
You can see the characteristic fringe of bristles on the tibia 3 nicely in the first picture.
Black: this means the host was some Noctuidae, probably Acronicta.
Does that ring a bell ?
Theo Zeegers
Posted by
ChrisR on 29-05-2007 16:03
#6
Wohoo! I seem to be on a roll recently!
Actually, I hadn't noticed the fringe of bristles on the hind tibia before you pointed it out Theo - I don't see many
Nilea here.
It's not 100% clear inthe photo but is it identical to the
Sturmia bristle-comb?
Posted by
Zeegers on 29-05-2007 19:58
#7
It's quite like Sturmia, slightly less pronounced though, especially in some females. Nilea is easier reared than caught in the field, which supports your ID.
Theo
#8
Oh, many thanks Theo and Chris. There's a number of
Acronicta pupae so this fits OK (only one
A. megacephala has hatched recently, there's also some
A. alni and
A. aceris).