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Tony and Paul have finally helped me figure out how to separate Lauxaniidae from other similar species. At least, from the orbital bristles, I believe this is Lauxaniidae.

Is it possible to take the ID any further?

Wetland in the mountains, West Virginia USA, 27 June 2005.

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which is that way to distinguish? I count about 2 bristles in the orbit... I think..

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Bad news :(

It is not a lauxanid but Notiphila (Ephydridae). The arista is a key clue: it has very long hairs on upper surface but none below. Not all Ephydrids have this type of arista, but most do and no other family has this type of arista*

* Like all rules of nature this one has a few exceptions

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So Lauxaniids are still giving me trouble?or at least, flies that I think are Lauxaniids are giving me trouble! :(

Still, I am glad to get this one identified to the family and genus. Thank-you, Kahis!

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After checking for arista that are plumose on only one side :), then you can apply the rule about orbital bristles.

I had asked how to tell Drosophilidae from Lauxaniidae, and the answer was the Lauxaniidae usually have two orbital bristles pointing toward the rear, while Drosophilidae have three orbital bristles, with the front one pointing toward the front and the rear two pointing toward the rear.

Also, I read recently that the orbital bristles of the Lauxaniidae are evenly spaced out, but that at least two of the Drosophilid orbital bristles are very close together.

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I am not even certain that all Lauxaniidae have exactly two reclinate pairs of orbital setae, but all Drosophilidae have two pairs of reclinate and one pair of proclinate orbital setae. Usually the anterior pair of the reclinate orbital setae and the proclinate orbital setae are positioned close together.

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opppss... I suppose that setae and bristles are the same thing. Two words meaning the same feature. :) isn?t it? ;)

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Paul, thanks for clarifying the rule.

Jorge, from what I understand seta refers to a hair or a bristle. In English, I think a bristle is just thicker than a hair. Someone correct me if I'm not saying this right.

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This looks like Notiphila taenia, though the species is very similar to N. bella. Certainly one or the other.

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Splitting hairs-
seta the Latin word seta which is feminine and means bristle
chaeto- is formed after the Greek word chaite
meaning long hair or mane
chaetotaxy formed after chaeta is used to refer to taxa(onomy) based on bristles, which contradicts.
Add to this the confusions caused by translation Borste is German for bristle (sometimes, figures occasionally show slender spines) but bristle En fran?ais is brin a word seldom used in keys.
Then cross translation say German-French-English:(:( makes matters much worse.
In short no certain definition here and a lot depends on magnification and lighting when bristle is qualified -small,minute, tiny etc

I am putting together some thoughts on this and related subjects under http://en.wikiped...tomous_key Skip the plant key bit (I need to put together a separate insect key page) and go down Keys versus descriptions and then onwards. Any comment or problem let me know.Especially comment. Robert

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once again, Robert Nash in great style! well done!

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Robert, I enjoyed the Wikipedia entry very much, it makes some really good points.

Hairs, bristles, seta, and just recently I ran across another one, setula.

Lots of interesting words like this. I have found reference to tubercles and tubercules, are they the same thing? And how are they different from "warts" and protruberances?

It can be really challenging in English negotiating all these terms and my admiration is even greater for the Czechs and Dutch and Hungarians and Russians, and yes, Portugese, who use this site! My hat is off to you!