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Hello,
This Ephydridae of 2 mm was observed on february 2 in the north of Yonne department (Burgondy, France).
According to this post:https://diptera.info/photogallery.php?photo_id=5007, Limnellia quadrata should be possible. But, what are the criterions to distinguish between Limnellia quadrata and Ilythea spilota ? All my thanks for a reply.

Jean-Michel GAREL : France : Brannay : 89150 : 02/02/2024
Altitude : NR - Taille : 2 environ
Réf. : 336335


Jean-Michel GAREL : France : Brannay : 89150 : 02/02/2024
Altitude : NR - Taille : 2 environ
Réf. : 336336

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Limnellia

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Thanks Nikita.

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Dear Nikita.
According to this paper: https://diptera.info/forum/viewthread.php?thread_id=112514&pid=465221#post_465221, L. stenhammari is perhaps the best species.

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This is Limnellia quadrata - note that it has just two dark spots hanging off vein R4&5. Separating Limnellia from Ilythea is straightforward. Limnellia has a moustache of bristles fringing the mouthedge, whereas Ilythea has a face that is bare centrally.

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Thanks Tony for your response about Limnellia versus Ilythea.
Regards, Jean-Michel Garel.

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Some more comments about Limnellia.
The name of species depends on 2 or 3 spots on vein, which are pointed with lines on figures (Krivosheina, 2012).

On your photos I see 2 spots only, so it is to be quadrata. Tarsal segments of this species partly yellowish. Halters black.

But the wings are one above another.

The third spot may be possible under another angle of vision.

If you see 3 dark spots - the species may be stenhammari or fallax.

In this case you can check the coloration of halter

In Limnellia stenhammari halter is black and in L. fallax halter is yellow.

In Limnellia stenhammari legs completely black, including tarsi. In Limnellia fallax basal tarsomer yellow.

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A lot of thanks Cranefly for your comments.
Best wishes.
Jean-Michel Garel.