Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Unknown Fruit Fly(s?) on Thistle

Posted by Kodachromekid on 05-12-2005 18:36
#1

Attached is an image of a fruit fly ovipositing on an unopened thistle blossom. Also is a side view of a fruit fly on a thistle, but I'm not positive if this is the same species as the first or not. So my questions are 1) are these the same species and 2) what species are they?

Thanks in advance for any assistance.
www.diptera.info/forim/5-1056-1.jpg

Posted by Paul Beuk on 05-12-2005 23:24
#2

I can tell you no more than my thought that the wing patterns are different and if they are that it is likely that they are different species.

Posted by John Smit on 07-12-2005 10:59
#3

I 've got the feeling they're both the same species.
I am not that familiar with the Nearctic fauna, but this looks like Terellia, in order to be sure I'll need a picture from above, for the wingvenation is needed for separation of the genera. There are two indigenous species: T.occidentalis and T. palposa. It is not one of the introduced Palearctic species: T. fuscicornis, T. ruficauda & T. virens.
I don't know what the difference between the two species is. But I can look into it.