Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Very Small Fly near Compost, Which Family?
Posted by Stephen on 30-09-2006 16:39
#1
This little fly was on the lid of our compost bin. It is a good place to look for flies because of all the irrestible odors.
Length 6.5 mm from the front of the face to the rear of the wings.
What family?
Posted by Stephen on 30-09-2006 16:41
#2
Second image. The fly had a clump of pollen (or something) stuck to his front tarsus.
Posted by Jan Willem on 30-09-2006 16:44
#3
Drosophilidae?
Posted by Stephen on 30-09-2006 18:15
#4
Yes, perhaps Drosophilidae. Looking at some photos just now I also wondered about Lauxaniidae. The eyes especially look similar.
Posted by Paul Beuk on 30-09-2006 20:21
#5
No, this certainly is
Drosophila. In the Nearctis are several species I do not know and abslolutely could not identify from pictures only. It could be a species related to
D. virilis but not to
obscura and its relatives: There are no 'sex-combs' (comb-like rows of spines) on the fore taris of this male.
Posted by Stephen on 30-09-2006 23:55
#6
Jan, Paul, Thank-you! This one is darker than the other Drosophilids I have seen around here and maybe that should be my excuse for not recognizing the family. :)
I am glad to know now not only the family but the genus.
Sex combs? That sounded intriguing but I went through all my Drosophilid photos and didn't see anything that looked like that. I will be watching for them, though!
One more question: Is there any obvious way to distinguish a member of Drosophila from the other genera of Drosophilidae?
Edited by Stephen on 30-09-2006 23:58
Posted by Kahis on 01-10-2006 10:24
#7
Stephen wrote:One more question: Is there any obvious way to distinguish a member of Drosophila from the other genera of Drosophilidae?
Not really, unfortunately.