Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Big Tachinidae
Posted by
Isidro on 14-10-2007 17:51
#1
Yesterday at La Pe?a, Huesca, Aragon, Spain. Pre-Pyrenees. Same habitat than the last one (it was less than a meter along): prairie with few trees and shrubs (many Crataegus etc) near a very small and low river with very dense small trees. Size: very big, as the bigger Sarcophaga, more or less 15-17 mm long.
Note the broad and clear tarsi.
Thanks
Regards
#2
This is a worn specimen of
Sarcophaga (Sarcophagidae)
Posted by
Isidro on 14-10-2007 19:46
#3
Thanks!!
A friend tells me many time ago, thta the sarcophagids can be easyli recognized by the reddish eyes... this one haven't it. It's sure a sarcophagid?
Posted by
Zeegers on 14-10-2007 20:14
#4
Yes, it's sure.
This one is worn, as pointed out by Tony.
I know, those exceptions...
Theo
Posted by
Isidro on 14-10-2007 21:15
#5
OK thanks... strange sarcophagid!!!
Posted by
Isidro on 14-10-2007 21:15
#6
OK thanks... strange sarcophagid!!!
#7
Apart from the worn and ragged wings, the thorax and abdomen dusting pattern has worn thin, so that the black ground-colour shows through, and the once-bright eyes are dull. This is a very "old" fly that looks like it has seen plenty of action.
Lots of flies can look different when they get to this age, but then so do people ...
Incidentally, you mentioned the large tarsi - those very large foot pads (pulvilli) are a good clue that the fly is
Sarcophaga. Most tachinids have smaller feet (but, as Theo says - there are always exceptions!)