3 Flies for ID

Anzu · #1 (**permalink**) 10-05-2011, 12:06 PM

Good afternoon folks,

3 flies for ID today if possible, number 1 and 2 were found in Norfolk.

Fly 1:
A rather small fly I think about 5mm but I could be wrong, this was found a few days ago in my garden on the brambles. Is it just me or is there a smiling Buddha face on its back

? It's creeping me out.

Fly 2:
I think this is a stilt-legged fly (Micropezidae) of some kind, is it possible to get species as it has a red head? I found a few of these around down a wood path. In picture 2 it seems to have stopped to eat some ...bird poo maybe? I think it was about 10mm in size or less.

Fly 3:
I took this photo last year in winter I think, on the off chance someone knows what it is I put it on this thread. Was found in Nottingham in a very large garden of a manor.

Thanks for looking!

Jason Green · #2 (**permalink**) 10-05-2011, 01:10 PM

Afternoon Anz,

The first is possibly Microchrysa polita, Stratiomyidae. The last is possibly one of them Hylemya flies, Muscidae.

Take care,

Jason

JRsbugs · #3 (**permalink**) 10-05-2011, 01:39 PM

First does look like Microchrysa polita.

Second looks like Micropezidae, Neria cibaria.

Last, Muscidae, Phaonia I would say and possibly P. angelicae.

Janet

Jason Green · #4 (**permalink**) 10-05-2011, 01:50 PM

What point present in the photograph suggests Phaonia (/angelicae?) over Hylemya in your opinion? I'm just interested on a case-basis, I have no personal interest in these yet.

JRsbugs · #5 (**permalink**) 10-05-2011, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Green

What point present in the photograph suggests Phaonia (/angelicae?) over Hylemya in your opinion? I'm just interested on a case-basis, I have no personal interest in these yet.

For a start...

Hylemya is in Anthomyiidae.

Pointers for Phaonia, it has a pd bristle on the hind tibia in the basal third, P. angelicae has an additional pd but the pic is not the best to see that.

P. angelicae has a slightly protruding mouth, an unspotted abdomen, orange femora and tibia and no orange colouring on the scutellum. The thorax colour can vary from a mucky beige colour to greyish depending on age.

All from personal observation and from searching in the past on diptera.info to gain insight on what makes a fly a certain species, there are too many of them to make guesses but some can be set apart from others with features mentioned but that does not mean to say the ID is a certain one, with better pics it might have been easier.

Before making a stab in the dark Jason, it would be a good idea to first make sure you have the correct family for a genus, then if you would really like to make a stab at it do some research on diptera.info by searching photos and past posts for clues as not to mislead.

Take a look at one of my posts to see how difficult these can be.

Anzu · #6 (**permalink**) 10-05-2011, 08:30 PM

Thank you guys for your interesting replies the suggestions look good, I shall note the third one as Phaonia species.

Jason Green · #7 (**permalink**) 11-05-2011, 10:45 AM

No, not Hylemya - I meant Helina and Muscidae, as I said. I'm not too sure why I offered anything for that one, to be honest. Too complex a group. Still, have a look here at a confirmed Helina - http://www.diptera.info/forum/viewth...809&pid=145728 - given the resolution of the OPs image I doubt you'd be able to rule either Helina or Phaonia in or out without a lot more experience.

Janet, I found your response to be tinged with rather undue arrogance. All I asked you for was an explanation of the difference between the two genera (obviously meaning Helina), giving you a chance to help. Your reply sums up why I don't usually do that - non-specific pointers puffing-up a message containing the usual condescension. You'd do well here to remember your slip-ups this week. First you suggested a Braconid genus for an Ichneumon (ignoring the trochanter and wing-venation, no less!!) - Tiny wasp with long antennae, then you said that we only have one Tachina sp., whereas we have four - Colourful and very spikey fly - a tachinid maybe??. It seems if you err it can be laughed off - but if someone else does it they're 'misleading'.

I sincerely apologise for posting this on your thread Anzu, I'd usually ignore it - but sometimes you just need to reply. I wouldn't be the first Janet's upset (for want of a better word), nor the last I'm sure.

JRsbugs · #8 (**permalink**) 11-05-2011, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Green

I wouldn't be the first Janet's upset (for want of a better word), nor the last I'm sure.

Talk about turning the tables Jason! You really do take the cake! I have upset NOBODY on here, on the contrary it is you who has been the expert on that and all I have done is defend myself against YOU!

Your holier than holy attitude does not fool me Jason, I am always waiting for you to take an opportunity to try to prove me wrong or to slip up, that is your style as you have once more shown here.

Yes, to be honest I did enjoy a 'slight' twist of the knife! You ask for it Jason.

Final note: you would have been better to laugh off YOUR mistake Jason than to show yourself up like this.