Tiny barkfly for id.

[Bruce Williams]

Northants garden.

Size: see scale bar.

This little fella (probably a girl) could move like greased lightning. She did play dead on her back a couple of times though, so also managed to get a few shots of her tum . Interestingly I've not come across this behaviour with barkflies before.

Help with identification appreciated:



Bruce

[Jason Green]

Morning Bruce,

it's possibly a Loensia sp., though not certain. I don't seem to have come across many this year (though I realise we are only just entering their main season!), I hope the long winter hasn't affected numbers...

Take care,

Jason

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks for your help and interest Jason.

Yes I thought this was going to be a tough one. I tried the National Barkfly Recording Scheme key but was unable to come up with an id. I think I'll send the pic into them to see if they can help.

Bruce

[Jason Green]

I forgot to say last night that it's a very young nymph (no apparent wingbuds yet, I don't think...), which is why it wouldn't key - the first couplet I believe goes by wing venation and as such is only designed for adults or wingless species.

It'll be interesting to hear from Bob on this.

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks Jason - I hadn't realised that the absence of wing buds identified it as a nymph - so thanks for that info. It makes sense as this individual is probably one of the smallest barkflies I've ever photographed.

Bruce