Unidentified fly with red eyes

[Bruce Williams]

Stony Stratford, Bucks. On wooden fence under willow and ash.

Length 6mm (measured).

Help with identification appreciated.



Bruce

[Rossco]

Looks like a fruit fly - Drosophila or a closely related genus. They're often seen this type of year because of all the fruit and fungi around. They're also one of the many unfortunate animals that can't get ratted.

[Jason Green]

Eening Bruce,

Yes, I agree - Drosophilidae.

Take care,

Jason

[JRsbugs]

Hi Bruce,

I have had one similar, Drosophila melanogaster which I think is quite common. The thorax is pale orangish, I wonder if yours has gone grey with age, mine was in June. The hairs look to be in the right places! I'll upload a pic.

Janet

[JRsbugs]

Two pics.., check the thorax hairs.

[Jason Green]

Ah! Thanks Janet - you've ID'd one for me inadvertantly in any case

[Bruce Williams]

Rosco, Jason and Janet - Thanks for all your help guys and thanks for the pics Janet, they certainly help pin it down.

Am I right in thinking that this is a female?

Bruce

[Rossco]

Doesn't look like D. melanogaster. Have a look on the web at photos of D. funebris; however, there are so many similar species that you can't identify them 100% accurately from photos. The proportions of the fly, especially the abdomen, suggest it's a female, but to be sure you need to see the tip of the underside of the abdomen and the forelegs, as the males as have a pair of sexy combs.

[JRsbugs]

The only pic of D. funebris on diptera.info is a female, and doesn't resemble Bruce's at all.

Diptera.info - Photo Albums: Drosophila funebris (female) (1)

Unless you know the site, and can reasonably say the pics are of the correct animal, it's unsafe to go on other pics, that includes the Gallery here in which many insects are incorrect! There will be the occasion where there is one incorrect on diptera.info, but they are mostly picked up as the site has experienced dipterists.