Fluffy fly

[Bruce Williams]

Stony Stratford, Bucks. Fence below ash, willow and sycamore....and close to large pond.

Size: pls check scale bar at top right.

Help with identification appreciated.



Bruce

[Jason Green]

Hi Bruce,

This is a Moth Fly, family Psychodidae. As for species, maybe try a Ulomyia sp. - though with 99 species or so you can't get too far without a specimen.

Lovely antennal detail, and a great shot as usual.

Take care,

Jason

[Kayleigh]

Wow, what a beautiful insect Bruce never seen one before.

[Susie]

What a pleasant surprise; I thought I would see a fly afflicted by a fungus but instead it is a beautiful creature.

[Acutipuerilis]

I was expecting a fungified one, as well!

These are a beautiful group of insects, but apparently you can only identify most of them when they're slide mounted. The details of the antennae are apparently a useful features, though, and that's certainly accessible via macro. To my knowledge, though, there's no useful ID reference to them - it's all in isolated papers. Sounds like someone needs to do a website... Jason?

[Jason Green]

Originally Posted by Acutipuerilis

I was expecting a fungified one, as well!

Interesting pre-conceptions. I was thinking of the Woolly Aphid!

Originally Posted by Acutipuerilis

These are a beautiful group of insects, but apparently you can only identify most of them when they're slide mounted. The details of the antennae are apparently a useful features, though, and that's certainly accessible via macro. To my knowledge, though, there's no useful ID reference to them - it's all in isolated papers. Sounds like someone needs to do a website... Jason?

Ha! That would require specimens and dissection... Joe?

Seriously, part of my website's ethos is to collate information from various sources and bring it together to help inform about the smaller, lesser-looked for invertebrates that usually have a sparse or sketchy online knowledge-base. I have two different-looking MFs and will outline what I know of them and research their statistics/habitats for their profiles when I re-do my website, or even create a literature section.

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Interesting pre-conceptions. I was thinking of the Woolly Aphid!



Ha! That would require specimens and dissection... Joe?

Seriously, part of my website's ethos is to collate information from various sources and bring it together to help inform about the smaller, lesser-looked for invertebrates that usually have a sparse or sketchy online knowledge-base. I have two different-looking MFs and will outline what I know of them and research their statistics/habitats for their profiles when I re-do my website, or even create a literature section.

That's the beauty of Bruce you never know what your going to get.

[Acutipuerilis]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Ha! That would require specimens and dissection... Joe? .

Bit too busy with the other ones, Jason... but otherwise I'd definitely be interested.

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Seriously, part of my website's ethos is to collate information from various sources and bring it together to help inform about the smaller, lesser-looked for invertebrates that usually have a sparse or sketchy online knowledge-base. I have two different-looking MFs and will outline what I know of them and research their statistics/habitats for their profiles when I re-do my website, or even create a literature section.

Seriously, indeed, if you can get into the group it would be brilliant. I've probably seen at least ten different species, and have photos of several. If you want me to start making an effort photographing them, I'm more than happy to... but see how easy the literature is before you promise anything, perhaps!

[Jason Green]

Indeed. I'll keep an eye out for any and keep specimens to one side, collect them, until I'm more proficient with dissections... and running through keys!

[Bruce Williams]

A big thank you to everyone for your interest and help......and sorry if my title misled anyone .

Am I right in thinking that Moth Fly is about as close as we can get from a photo. I'll check out Ulomyia sp right now (thanks for that Jason).

Bruce