Rough steer if poss for fly and two ???s

Dillybythesea · #1 (**permalink**) 31-08-2011, 05:35 PM

Is it possible to say what genus this fly might be please?

And can anything be said about this small thing - about 7mm?

And is this likely to be an Ichneumon wasp, or at only 8mmish is it too small for that? (I couldn't get a side view)

Jason Green · #2 (**permalink**) 31-08-2011, 06:52 PM

Geomyza, Trypoxylon and Ichneumonidae looks about right - 8mm seems moderate - they can be around the 3mm mark!

Dillybythesea · #3 (**permalink**) 31-08-2011, 07:33 PM

Thanks again Jason! Off I go to gen up on Geomyza and Trypoxylon (which sounds more like ointment!) Much appreciated - Rhona

JRsbugs · #4 (**permalink**) 31-08-2011, 09:44 PM

Geomyza is in Opomyzidae, this is Lauxaniidae. Looks very much like Homoneura notata. which seems to be a misidentification for Homoneura subnotata.

Dillybythesea · #5 (**permalink**) 01-09-2011, 07:36 AM

Well thanks Janet too. I've had fun googling Opomyzidae and Lauxaniidae and seen a lot of flies with spotted wings! Clearly there are allsorts out there. (Wouldn't there be!) So today's task is to try to see that fly again.

Thanks again to both - Rhona

JRsbugs · #6 (**permalink**) 01-09-2011, 11:13 AM

I did some more searching on the naming of Homoneura notata, look at the link provided by Paul Beuk. It seems the name was again changed! Note that Paul Beuk is named as an expert on Fauna Europa, he is the owner of diptera.info.

Diptera.info - Discussion Forum: Homoneura notata/subnotata

The spots on the wings match this species as well as the yellowish scutellum and sides of thorax, but usually if there's a wing pattern that is enough to name a fly.

Dillybythesea · #7 (**permalink**) 01-09-2011, 12:37 PM

Thanks Janet. I'll confess I can't decide whether they're agreeing that H.notata and H. subnotata are different species, separated by distribution, or if H.notata is a species now called H.dilecta. Either way, I'd love you to confirm what I ought to label it, if you're saying it's OK to label it at all? (Meanwhile, needless to say, it's gone into hiding today.)

JRsbugs · #8 (**permalink**) 01-09-2011, 12:56 PM

Lol, such is taxonomy. Without finding if they got any more information about it we are a little stuck. It is listed here as subnotata, but the lists for here are dictated by whether or not the RES has decided to alter the name or not! Read my query..

The Society for the study of flies (Diptera) / Poecilobothrus chrysozygos

I would say your best bet is to label it Homoneura subnotata for now with a note. You could try asking on diptera.info if anything was found out, that thread was in 2006. Don't feel shy to join! Or, I could ask for you but might not get an answer. I have named my fly in the post above the most recent one as it was identified by an expert in the field and the RES has been slow to make it's mind up. There's been a lot more research lately so there's been a lot of changes.

Dillybythesea · #9 (**permalink**) 01-09-2011, 01:23 PM

Ah I see what you mean! Nothing's easy is it! Well if you had the time and wanted to ask diptera.info if anything has been found out since, I'd be keen to know the answer. I have twice tried joining, but never get an email back that would confirm my registration! (And even if they did, would still chicken out I epxect.)