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location: northern Portugal, near Soajo
altitude: approx. 200m
date: 30-06-2024

My best guess would be Bombyliidae but I haven’t been able to find a really similar looking species in this family that is being present in Portugal / Spain.
So, maybe I am on the wrong track and it is not Bombyliidae.

Suggestions are very much appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
David

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Cyllenia rustica?

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Hi Eric,
Thanks for your reply.

Yes, it could very well be C. rustica.
However, as far as I can see this species has not been previously reported from the north of Portugal.
The World Catalog of Bee Flies, Evenhuis et al. 2003 does not list C. rustica for Portugal.
According to the list of Diptera species present in the Iberian Peninsula (Catálogo de los díptera de España, Portugal y Andorra, Sorianao et al. 2002), C. rustica is present in Spain, but nowhere nearby.
Also on iNat there are no sightings of C. rustica from Portugal.
On the other hand, there is a (single) observation from central Portugal included in the gallery of this site.
So, how high is the probability that a species new for the region is observed during a short holiday visit? I think low, but of course not impossible.

Best regards,
David

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Hi David, yes: low, but not impossible. And more possible, if you consider the very distinct colours and patterns!
Have you seen this thread from the finding in Viseu - not too far from Soajo:
https://diptera.i...ad_id=7093

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The thread dates from 2007, so apparently the species has expanded its range after 2003 when the studies I referred to have been published.
Probably the distribution has expanded even further to the north since 2007.
Thanks for your help.
Regards,
David