Thread subject: Diptera.info :: small Tachinid in February -> no, Metopia grandii (Sarcophagidae)

Posted by Carnifex on 21-02-2021 00:10
#1
about 6.5 mm long, Vienna city area

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Edited by Carnifex on 23-02-2021 11:19

Posted by Zeegers on 21-02-2021 08:54
#2
Outdoors ?

Definitely a Sarc, I think Ptychoneura.

Theo

Posted by Carnifex on 21-02-2021 10:58
#3
an overwintering Sarc? Wasn't aware these existed

Posted by Zeegers on 21-02-2021 13:50
#4
Can’t be. Ptychoneura is a cleptoparasite of stem-breeding Aculeata.

Theo

Posted by Carnifex on 21-02-2021 14:09
#5
Yes, I read that too - I guess I will have to make more photos, of the head especially.

Also, originally described by Fallén and Meigen as 'Tachina', so I am in good company Grin

Posted by Zeegers on 21-02-2021 15:25
#6
I’d like to see the abdomen from above and obliquely behind (say, 45 degrees angle)

Theo

Posted by Carnifex on 21-02-2021 22:29
#7
do these views help?

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Posted by Zeegers on 22-02-2021 08:50
#8
Maybe it is better to use Oebalia instead of Ptychoneura, it is a matter of opinion.

This is Oe. cylindrica.

Theo

Posted by Carnifex on 22-02-2021 09:00
#9
The photo of the head profile shows a row of bristles running down the parafacials. Wouldn't this exclude Obealia/Ptychoneura?
Could Metopia also be an option?

Posted by Zeegers on 22-02-2021 13:00
#10
It is difficult to see, maybe I overlooked those. It is possible to give a better view .

Thanks

Theo

Posted by Carnifex on 22-02-2021 14:37
#11
Apologies, at the time of posting, I did not know what features to focus on, so the bristles are hardly visible.

Irrespective of the final ID, still wondering about the phenology (occurence in February!)

Posted by Zeegers on 22-02-2021 19:44
#12
The phenology is off in any case. If it is Metopia, it is likely campestris, which I have never seen earlier than end of April.

Theo

Posted by Carnifex on 22-02-2021 20:56
#13
It seems to be Metopia grandii. No anteroventral bristle on the mid tibia. Unless I missed something, this would be a first for Austria

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Posted by Zeegers on 23-02-2021 10:38
#14
Of course ! Marginals on syntergite 1&2 are lacking ! Metopia grandii male it is.
Please change the title of this thread, so that we are able to find it.


Theo

Posted by Carnifex on 23-02-2021 11:18
#15
Theo, thanks for this fruitful discussion.
One last question, how to determine the gender here?
This species doesn't show the flashy parafacials as other species of the genus

Posted by Zeegers on 23-02-2021 12:24
#16
Well, it is a guess, based on length of third antennal segment, shape of abdominal tip and of course date (males are earlier)

Theo