Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Three *very* tiny flies...
Posted by Juergen Peters on 03-09-2006 21:08
#1
...and therefore no good photos... :-(
But is it nevertheless possible to tell where they belong? Nr. 1 (2-3 mm) is family Chloropidae. Is nr. 2 also? It was only 1.5 mm long. Nr. 3 was even more tiny, not much more than 1 mm. Does this metallic fly belong to the Dolichopodidae? All pics taken in the last few days here in Germany. Thanks in advance!
Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 03-09-2006 22:12
#2
yes. the first one belongs to the Chloropidae family. The second one, I think that is not Chloropidae family... no sure.
And the last image is almost by sure 100% a Doli fly! :)
Now, we must wait for genus level.
Edited by jorgemotalmeida on 03-09-2006 22:14
Posted by Juergen Peters on 04-09-2006 01:03
#3
Hello, Jorge!
jorgemotalmeida wrote:
And the last image is almost by sure 100% a Doli fly! :)
Thanks! I did not know that they could be *this* small ;-).
Posted by Robert Nash on 06-09-2006 10:45
#4
Stratomyiidae can be small too. second pic
Microchrysa or
Pachygaster sp. ?
Robert
Edited by Robert Nash on 06-09-2006 15:32
Posted by Kahis on 06-09-2006 11:06
#5
Juergen Peters wrote:
jorgemotalmeida wrote:
And the last image is almost by sure 100% a Doli fly! :)
Thanks! I did not know that they could be *this* small ;-).
It is a dolichopodid, and if the size estimate is correct I'd vote for
Thrypticus as the genus. Most species of this genus aren't strongly white-pollinose but I guess the flash highlights the dusting. They are usually found on plants of genus
Schoenoplectus (bulrushes).
Reliable identification to species level depend on minor features of male genitalia - it is some of the toughest Doli genera in Europe and not only because of the small size.
Posted by Tony Irwin on 06-09-2006 23:15
#6
Initially I thought Robert could be right with his suggestion of
Microchrysa for #2, but I think the wings are actually too long for the abdomen, so I'd favour
Leiomyza (Asteidae)
Posted by Robert Nash on 07-09-2006 11:24
#7
The wing length (in proportion to abdomen length) gave me doubts too and the wing-veins, apically very pale in Stratiomyiidae are clearly visible. Think you may be right in suggesting
Leiomyza (Asteidae)
Cheers from Belfast Robert
Posted by Juergen Peters on 07-09-2006 19:04
#8
Hello, Robert and Tony!
Robert Nash wrote:
Think you may be right in suggesting Leiomyza (Asteidae)
Thanks! I know
Microchrysa cf. polita from here, but this critter was *much* smaller than even that small Stratiomyiid.
Posted by Juergen Peters on 07-09-2006 19:14
#9
Hellp, Kahis!
Kahis wrote:
It is a dolichopodid, and if the size estimate is correct I'd vote for Thrypticus as the genus. Most species of this genus aren't strongly white-pollinose but I guess the flash highlights the dusting. They are usually found on plants of genus Schoenoplectus (bulrushes).
Thanks! Those flies (numerous in the low vegetation of our garden) really belong to the smallest Diptera I have ever seen. We don't have bulrushes in the garden, but a small pond (5x2 m) with "Wasserlinsen" (don't know the english word for it, genus
Lemna) in it and several grasses, nettles etc. around it.