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Hello,

I'd like to have your opinion about this Ctenophora sp, I photographied on 8th may 2005 in Saint Apollinaire (21), near Dijon, France.
Length was 17 mm, wingspan 22 mm




My opinion was it is a male of C. pilosa. Do you agree ?
(Closer views on request)

Thanks !

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...no opinion, anyone ?...

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I can't help with your identification, but I do draw solace from your lack of replies. I thought I was the only one to be shunned so, having had 30 readers of my query but no replies. But I am finding comfort by telling myself perhaps it is because my Lispe is so rare that no one has a reference specimen. Maybe we should form a mutual support group to help us come to terms with the inevitable feelings of rejection and humiliation, and eventually we might feel able to reclaim our place in society.

John

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John

This is so sad I can't bear it :o I've got a load no one has responded to either. The other approach is to take Theo's advice to me about Sarcophagidae - 'forget about them'. I was shocked to hear this from such an emininent member of this forum, but having taken his advice (about Sarcos, but not, it has to be said about the wretched Antho-muscid devil flies) I am feeling so much more relaxed and well-adjusted. In fact, I'm thinking of coming of the medication shortly, but that is quite scary, so will certainly need the support group then.

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Please, accept the fact that specialists (or others) may not (immediately) have the answers to your queries or simply may not be online for a while. Alternatively, if many new posts were made, you request may be send further down the list so that people do not notice it anymore.
If you think your request needs more attention or renewed attention, you can bump the thread (send a reply asking if really nobody knows anything about it) or send me a message asking me to renew the thread so that it will be at (or near) the top of the list again.
John, I renewed your thread.
Benoit, maybe wait till Chen Young comes online.

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Thanks to John for his humour and comfort !
Maybe I know some psychotherapist who could help us. I'll check ! :D

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Paul - really just teasing :( . I am only too guiltily aware that I recently overloaded the forum and a lot have just fallen into the abyss. I know I take pot luck with who is logged on and when and what their expertise is.

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Well, just it was just in case someone really is annoyed about lack of response (I think I notice one such person recently). And you overloading the forum? That will be the day! Try us. :P

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It is a male Ctenophora elegans (pilosa is a synonym). I used the key in Oosterbroek et al paper" The West Palearctic species of Ctenophorinae (Diptera: Tipulidae)...." and lucky enough your image shows the row of long yellowish-white hairs before distinct thickening on the femur of hind leg. I am not familiar with the European species of crane flies and am hasitate to jump in, and now I can see the frustration it may cause. I will do my best to put any level of id that may help.

Chen

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Paul

You may regret being so encouraging - just think how many small grey impossible flies I could post :p

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Thanks, Chen ! :)

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As we Brits say about buses, you wait ages then two come along at once. I sent your photos to Alan Stubbs, and here is his response.

"C. pilosa is not in the world checklist. It is a male C. pectinicornis. Nice pictures ?any chance of getting his agreement that Buglife can use them if occasion arises, please? Are you able to provide an E-mail address?"

Buglife is an alternative name for the Invertebrate Conservation Trust, a charity that Alan founded a few years ago, based in Peterborough, England. Its web address is www.buglife.org.uk and the e-mail address (should you wish to give permission for photo use) is info@buglife.org.uk

Could pectinicornis be another synonym of elegans?

Best wishes

John Bratton

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No, Ctenophora pectinicornis is not a synonym, it is a distinct species, and looks very much like Ctenophora guttata and Ctenophora elegans. According to the current key by Oosterbroek, the unique character to separate these three species is that Ctenophora elegans has a row of long yellowish-white hairs located before the thinkening at the subapical part of the hind femur which is clearly visible at the last image.