Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Leucophenga (Leucophenga) macula, Drosophilidae, Hungary, April 2007

Posted by Xespok on 06-05-2007 10:32
#1

Is this Chamaemyidae? At least there is a species with this spotted abdomen in that family.

Edited by Xespok on 14-05-2007 20:30

Posted by Tony Irwin on 06-05-2007 20:10
#2

I wonder if this is Leucophenga (Drosophilidae)?

Posted by Paul Beuk on 07-05-2007 09:36
#3

I think it is, probably maculata, just like the specimen in THIS THREAD. I think it should be noted that the figure in the Fauna Entomologica Scandinavica handbook depicts the lateral (ventral in book) and paramedian (lateral in book) markings on tergite 4 as partly fused while they appear to be completely fused in the specimens here.
The text mentions: "..., tergites 3-6 each with a longish median spot, two lateral, and two ventral spots; lateral spots usually largest, all 5 spots sometimes isolated or partly confluent."
This sentence has several confusing issues:
1. As noted above, I use lateral and paramedian where the book uses ventral and lateral. With swollen abdomen (as is the case in most fresh specimens and virtually always in live specimens on photos) the ventral spots are really on the sides of the abdomen.
2. When spots are "sometimes isolated or partly confuent", what are they usually?

Posted by Xespok on 14-05-2007 20:32
#4

Tony, Paul thx for the help. Apparently the ground coloration of this species is extremely variable.