The Society for the study of flies (Diptera)
Affiliated to the British Entomological and Natural History Society (BENHS)
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#1 2019-05-18 17:24:45
- Richard Dickson
- DF Members
- Name: Richard Dickson
- Registered: 2008-11-24
- Posts: 323
Rhamphomyia marginata in South Hampshire...at MV...unusual?
I was operating a lamp-and-sheet under a beech tree in a wood near West Meon last night, when a pair of Rhamphomyia marginata in copula appeared on the sheet.
I am delighted, but also a tad confused, since I thought this species was diurnal, and anyway didn't occur anywhere nearer than Kent.
Perhaps I shouldn't labour the point about it being diurnal, since on the same night we recorded Empis scutellata (a fairly regular occurrence), Empis stercorea (male det'd gen) and Platypalpus cothurnatus.
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#2 2019-05-19 09:12:30
Re: Rhamphomyia marginata in South Hampshire...at MV...unusual?
Hi Richard, the recording scheme has a 2009 record for R. marginata from the New Forest, so your record confirms its presence in Hampshire.
Nigel Jones
Shropshire
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#3 2019-05-20 10:13:24
- Tony Irwin
- DF Members
- Name: Tony Irwin
- From: Norwich
- Registered: 2008-03-01
- Posts: 838
Re: Rhamphomyia marginata in South Hampshire...at MV...unusual?
Hi Richard
My understanding is that most British records of marginata are from light traps.
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#4 2019-05-20 16:00:48
- Laurence Clemons
- DF Members
- Name: Laurence Clemons
- Registered: 2008-04-02
- Posts: 391
Re: Rhamphomyia marginata in South Hampshire...at MV...unusual?
Most British records are not from light traps. In 1995 and 1996 I made a special search for the species in East Kent and probably have more sightings than anyone else. Females begin to swarm from around 18:00 in open clearings in woodland. Males and single females have also been found in the early afternoon until about 17:00.
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#5 2019-05-20 19:13:36
- Tony Irwin
- DF Members
- Name: Tony Irwin
- From: Norwich
- Registered: 2008-03-01
- Posts: 838
Re: Rhamphomyia marginata in South Hampshire...at MV...unusual?
Thanks, Laurence - I must amend my copy of Falk and Crossley (2005) which states "Adults ... are almost exclusively taken at moth light-traps..."
Perhaps it would have been more accurate for me to say that most British recorders of marginata have found it in moth traps. 
I confess I can't remember the last time I've collected at 18.00 - I suspect most dipterists have put their pooters away by then, but as you've demonstrated, perseverance pays off!
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