Thread subject: Diptera.info :: [Helina sp.] Helina or Mydaea: that is the question

Posted by JC_Bartolucci on 11-05-2026 13:42
#1
Hello,

For this specimen, I first thought of a Helina, especially Helina impuncta, but then I was finally tempted, perhaps wrongly, by Mydaea urbana.

www.galerie-insecte.org/galerie/image/dos373/big/P5020320_modif.JPG
JC Bartolucci : France : Le Puech : 34700 : 02/05/2026
Altitude : NR - Taille : 8 mm
Réf. : 373117

www.galerie-insecte.org/galerie/image/dos373/big/P5020321_modif.JPG
JC Bartolucci : France : Le Puech : 34700 : 02/05/2026
Altitude : NR - Taille : 8 mm
Réf. : 373119

www.galerie-insecte.org/galerie/image/dos373/big/P5020322_modif.JPG
JC Bartolucci : France : Le Puech : 34700 : 02/05/2026
Altitude : NR - Taille : 8 mm
Réf. : 373120


Thank you in advance.

JC
Edited by JC_Bartolucci on 20-05-2026 23:24

Posted by JC_Bartolucci on 13-05-2026 06:19
#2
No idea ?

Posted by JC_Bartolucci on 16-05-2026 11:28
#3
Muscidae ?

Posted by eklans on 16-05-2026 15:17
#4
Mydaea sp. have setulae on radial node dorsally & ventrally, H. impuncta has 1-3 ac bristles presutural. What do you think of H. depuncta?

Posted by JC_Bartolucci on 16-05-2026 17:04
#5
H. depuncta does indeed seem to fit well.

Posted by JC_Bartolucci on 17-05-2026 10:14
#6
Thank you again for suggesting H. depuncta.

I discussed it further on insecte.org, and a few doubts were raised about some of the characters: almost bare eyes, yellow base of antennae, aristal hairs, tibial chaetotaxy, and also the point about infuscated cross-veins / 3 postsutural dc that you mentioned in another thread.

Do you still think H. depuncta is the best fit here, despite these uncertainties?

Many thanks in advance.

Posted by eklans on 17-05-2026 11:59
#7
H. depuncta was only meant to be a possible alternative to H. impuncta - not the best fit and the 4 post dc clearly contradict depuncta.
But there are many Helinae with similar characters and to get closer we would need more details like aristal hairs, all katepisternals...
Helina seems to be correct, but for species level we'd need a distinguished expert's opinion.

Posted by JC_Bartolucci on 17-05-2026 12:33
#8
OK, thank you very much for your feedback and opinions :).
Edited by JC_Bartolucci on 17-05-2026 12:33