Tipulidae keys?

jezlee · #1 (**permalink**) 15-09-2006, 07:39 PM

Has anybody got any ideas on the key differences between our two commonest Tipulidae, T. paludosa and T.oleracea? I took this picture today as there were hundreds of them about, leaping madly everywhere as I walked through wet grass .... and I have to say I have never noticed those antennae before. Do both species possess similar-looking antennae?

bugbotherer · #2 (**permalink**) 15-09-2006, 07:43 PM

Yes the Dipterist Forum have some trial keys from Alan Stubbs (of hoverfly and soldierfly fame). Here's the jist of the couplet
Tipula oloracea eyes ventrally narrowed gap 1-2 time scape width
Tipula paludosa eyes ventrally more broadly separated 3-5 times scape width
Females of oloracea with long wings that cover or extend beyond abdomen

So your pic T.pauldosa

Its all in the eyes and genital dissection..................

bugbotherer

jezlee · #3 (**permalink**) 15-09-2006, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bugbotherer

Yes the Dipterist Forum have some trial keys from Alan Stubbs (of hoverfly and soldierfly fame). Here's the jist of the couplet
Tipula oloracea eyes ventrally narrowed gap 1-2 time scape width
Tipula paludosa eyes ventrally more broadly separated 3-5 times scape width
Females of oloracea with long wings that cover or extend beyond abdomen

So your pic T.pauldosa

Its all in the eyes and genital dissection..................

bugbotherer

Cheers, BB .... I shall have to remember the eyes bit .... sounds like a good differentiation to me! Just one thing: what is the "scape"?

bugbotherer · #4 (**permalink**) 15-09-2006, 07:57 PM

The scape is the bit between the eyes. Whereas an Escape is something that is great around Christmas (13 weeks away)
bugbotherer

Alan · #5 (**permalink**) 15-09-2006, 08:01 PM

I thought the scape was the name of the first antennal segment? Well in the Hymenoptera - specifically bees anyway..

bugbotherer · #6 (**permalink**) 16-09-2006, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan

I thought the scape was the name of the first antennal segment? Well in the Hymenoptera - specifically bees anyway..

Alan
you're quite right. It's my slipshot way of talking about the bit between the eyes but not quite the antenna that's not the front (frons) bit of a fly. I'm sure it must have a propper name, I just took a diversion

bugbotherer

Laurence Clemons · #7 (**permalink**) 18-09-2006, 11:54 AM

The shape of the male claspers are the most distinct characters separating oleracea and paludosa. If you find one of these large brown species in spring i.e. April-May it will be oleracea. While most of the autumn one are paludosa there is also a second brood of oleracea from late August.