Thread subject: Diptera.info :: New here (and a question right away)

Posted by Antje on 20-09-2005 11:49
#1

Hi all,

I'm new to this great forum and wanted to say hi. :D Even though I'm a biologist, I'm so bad at systematics that I fear I'll have to ask you a couple of questions about Diptera I've met...

This is one I find especially beautiful. I saw it in Bayern, Southern Germany, in an orchard. Do you have an idea what it might be?

www.pbase.com/antjes/image/45998434/original.jpg

Thanks!

Antje


Posted by Kahis on 20-09-2005 12:18
#2

Welcome to the forum, Antje!

Nice pic! The fly is a Cylindromyia (literally cylindrical + fly :-) of family Tachinidae. The larvae of this genus are parasitic (like all tachinids) and develop in stink bugs (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae). And yeah, I agree with you, they are eye-catching and rather nice overall. The tachinid-Meisters for this forum will certainly be able to identify fly fly to species level - I have an idea about the species name but I'm too lazy to check it;)

Kahis

Edited by Kahis on 20-09-2005 12:20

Posted by Antje on 21-09-2005 12:33
#3

Thanks a million! :) That does help a lot.

Antje

Posted by Zeegers on 24-09-2005 21:19
#4

It is a member of the genus Cylindromyia, indeed.

Although the picture is beautiful, it is a bit awkward to identify the species from this angle.
It is a female of either C. interrupta or C. auriceps.
The first one is, probably, the least rare in southern Germany.

A picture from above would help !


Gruesse

Theo Zeegers