Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Asilidae copula - Neoepitriptus setosulus

Posted by Sundew on 23-10-2018 00:15
#1

Hi,
I'm in trouble with this couple! I saw it in Berlin in July 2010. Somehow I am not able to find a good genus for these red-legged ones. Please help!
Thanks in advance, Sundew

Edited by Sundew on 24-10-2018 00:25

Posted by Sundew on 23-10-2018 00:16
#2

Some more details.

Posted by piros on 23-10-2018 01:07
#3

How about Neoepitriptus setosulus ?

Greetings,
Henrik

Posted by Sundew on 23-10-2018 02:07
#4

Ah - you posted a very similar couple here: https://www.flick...8338925526! I thought of Neoepitriptus, but in Reinoud's photo guide (https://waarnemin...ilidae.pdf) N. setulosus is described as "femora black with a red stripe on the backside; red tibiae apically black with darkened backside" - the pictured flies look dark grey, even the wings, while ours have a red/brown appearance. I wonder if the colouration might be thus variable. Maybe Reinoud will enlighten us.
BTW, Neoepitriptus seems to be included in Machimus now, as is Tolmerus.
Many thanks for your hint!
Regards, Sundew

Edited by Sundew on 23-10-2018 19:36

Posted by piros on 23-10-2018 14:28
#5

These are Neoepitriptus setosulus for sure, because the ID is based on actual, captured specimens, and the fist link leads pictures of specimens that were eventually seen by Reinoud:
https://diptera.info/forum/viewthread.php?thread_id=74366

and the other:

https://diptera.info/forum/viewthread.php?thread_id=86472

I think your flies match N. setosulus quite nicely.

Edited by piros on 23-10-2018 14:33

Posted by Sundew on 23-10-2018 20:09
#6

That is very convincing, dear Henrik, but I wonder whether Machimus arthriticus can be excluded with absolute certainty. Its ground colouration is reddish, too. Well, the black hairs on top of the occiput of M. arthriticus are lacking in my flies. So Neoepitriptus setosulus is the best choice indeed -thanks again!

Posted by Quaedfliegh on 23-10-2018 23:35
#7

In my opinion Henrik is right, this has to be N. setosulus. M. arthriticus is almost twice as big, has entirely black femora, dark tibiae and a more true Machimus appearance. As is usual with these genera there is quite some variability which makes it difficult to give an accurate description that fits all individual specimens :-) The shape of the genitalia is more important and in these pictures, the shape confirms ID....

Posted by Sundew on 24-10-2018 00:24
#8

And this is the final expert's statement - thank you, Reinoud!

Posted by piros on 24-10-2018 01:05
#9

I changed the title of those two threads relevant to this topic, so that others can find it more easily... :) There are three threads now dealing with this not-so-common sp :)

Regards,

Henrik

Edited by piros on 24-10-2018 01:12