Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Saropogon spp?? 2 from Samos

Posted by nick upton on 27-08-2011 15:27
#1

Can anyone ID these 2 Asilids from Samos, a Greek island, but just a few miles off the coast of Turkey. Might they both be Saropogon spp?? Both were around at the same time, hunting on beach pebbles.

Species one with pale legs, and more orange banding on the abdomen:

22.8.11 c13mm Samos

Posted by nick upton on 27-08-2011 15:30
#2

Species 2 with dark hindlegs, more black on other legs, less orange banding on abdomen

21.8.11 c13mm Samos, Greece

Posted by Dysmachus on 29-08-2011 21:42
#3

Yes, Saropogon - Mrs Miksch (Museum Stuttgart) started a revision some years ago, but she failed. Colour is variable, so you have to check the genitalia after having a revision of all the types. Yours

Posted by nick upton on 31-08-2011 09:41
#4

Many thanks for this informed reply. This is clearly a very difficult - if attractive group. Interesting to hear that the colour is quite variable. I know there is some sexual dimorphism in this genus also. Do you think these flies could even be of the same species, despite the leg colour differences.