Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Bombyliidae 2
Posted by lynkos on 17-08-2006 20:13
#1
At least I think it's a Bombyliidae from the way it flew and the long proboscis (not visible in the photograph). It was BIG, about 17 mm long, photographed near Rome, Italy.
Thanks, Sarah
Posted by Zeegers on 17-08-2006 20:44
#2
Hi Sarah
It is a beautiful Bombyllidae, however, more of the 'short proboscis' subfamily. I think you are looking by mistake at the left front tarsus ?
To me, it seems to be in Anthracinae, but leave that to the experts.
Theo Zeegers
Posted by lynkos on 17-08-2006 21:04
#3
In fact the proboscis doesn't show in the foto, but I remember it as quite long. I'm looking through my discarded shots to see if there's one where you can see it better. If there is, I'll post it later, Sarah
Posted by lynkos on 17-08-2006 21:06
#4
Just taken a look, unfortunately all the shots are from the back. It was VERY nervous and flighty, typical Bombyliidae behaviour, and it took me an age to creep up on it :@, Sarah
Posted by Tony Irwin on 17-08-2006 21:34
#5
I suspect this is
Satyramoeba hetrusca. I think David Gibbs is more familiar with this species, so hopefully he can confirm this.
Posted by lynkos on 18-08-2006 05:44
#6
Thanks Tony, let's hope David can confirm, Sarah
Posted by David Gibbs on 18-08-2006 12:23
#7
looks just like my specimens of
Satyramoeba hetrusca and as this is the only European species in the genus i think you can be confident of this det.
Posted by digitalg on 18-08-2006 12:52
#8
David,
I did not know this was the only european species in this genus!
That leaves no doubts about this other fly you also commented:
http://www.dipter...ad_id=2946
Do you have any records about size variability on this species, because I'm pretty sure "mine" was bigger than 17mm
Thank you
Posted by Susan R Walter on 18-08-2006 13:48
#9
Maybe it's just the angle of the shots, but Armando's fly seems to have a very small head for the size of the body and Sarah's fly does not give this impression. Also, do these matt black Bombyliidae really fade to that sort of bronzey colour? I am just thinking here of my smaller
Thraxan, from Australia - I saw lots of these, and never other than the smart black and white. Mind you - the wing venation on Sarah and Armando's flies appears the same, so David must be right.
Posted by lynkos on 19-08-2006 05:19
#10
Actually Armando, 17 mm is a conservative estimate based on memory and it may well have been bigger. In fact, being BIG was the first thing that attracted my notice :o! Sarah
Posted by digitalg on 20-08-2006 12:55
#11
Well, we may really be looking at the same fly.
Yesterday I went for a walk and could take a good look at some Xylocopa violacea, I believe these bombyliids mimic them. Their size is my only real measure of the size of the fly I photographed, and the especimen of X. violacea I've seen average a little below 25mm long.
I guess we are getting into a meeting point and I'll be naming mine also S. hetrusca :)