Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Piophila casei? Tasmania, Australia.

Posted by DipTas on 25-11-2012 03:03
#1

Found these very active males defending their tiny pieces of turf. Females were there but more transient (didn't get a good shot unfortunately). Seemed they were attracted to decomposing fish. Using Australian Piophilidae keys (McAlpine 1989) they would be Piophila casei: scutellum with only two pairs of marginal bristles; wing costa without strong spaced spines (males); only one pair of dorsocentrals; & fronto-orbital bristles absent. However the papers I have don't include any proper description so confirmation or not would be appreciated.

Photographed at Huonville, a southern region of Tasmania (Australia), on 24th November 2012.

Thanks,
Tony

Posted by DipTas on 25-11-2012 03:04
#2

Closer view:

Posted by DipTas on 25-11-2012 03:05
#3

Front view:

Posted by DipTas on 25-11-2012 03:06
#4

Males battling:

Posted by Nosferatumyia on 25-11-2012 08:40
#5

Looks like. At least I see three rows of setae on the mesonotal scutum, f good character of Piophila

Posted by DipTas on 25-11-2012 08:52
#6

Thanks Valery! That's encouraging - they definitely possess three rows of short setae on the scutum ;)