The Society for the study of flies (Diptera)
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#1 2019-12-13 14:25:55
- colinleb
- DF Members
- Name: Colin Le Boutillier
- From: Luton, Bedfordshire
- Registered: 2008-03-03
- Posts: 271
Anthomyid - Phorbia
I think this keys to Phorbia moliniaris? Wing length 3.7 mm.
Beds mixed woodland on peat. 25 March 2019.
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#2 2019-12-14 19:28:50
- Michael Ackland
- DF Members
- Name: Michael Ackland
- Registered: 2008-06-14
- Posts: 200
Re: Anthomyid - Phorbia
It certainly has all the characters of Phorbia moliniaris. This species under the microscope has shining black pleurites and abdomen, which are not so apparent in the photos, but this may be because of the lighting ? The mid tibia should have 1-2 anteroventral setae. Not shown is the aedeagus which in this species (and many other Phorbia species), has a sclerotized acrophallus which points to the left. It is figured in my genitalia drawings for this species
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#3 2019-12-15 17:55:40
- colinleb
- DF Members
- Name: Colin Le Boutillier
- From: Luton, Bedfordshire
- Registered: 2008-03-03
- Posts: 271
Re: Anthomyid - Phorbia
Thank you Michael.
As you say, the lighting makes it hard to judge how shiny the pleurae and abdomen are. Looking at the specimen I would not say it is shiny as, for example, Sepsis can be; rather the pleurae appear to be dusted but still strongly reflective. The tergites are definitely grey dusted, except towards the apex of the abdomen. Here are some more pictures. If I have correctly identified the bristles then there are 2 av on the mid tibia.
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#4 2019-12-17 12:47:52
- Michael Ackland
- DF Members
- Name: Michael Ackland
- Registered: 2008-06-14
- Posts: 200
Re: Anthomyid - Phorbia
Where the distiphallus in Phorbia species is of this type (acrophallus short, sclerotized), it generally is directed to the left when viewer ventrally with the acrophallus at the top. Your photo of the distiphallus indicates that it is taken from a dorsal point of view. Anyway it confirms that it is P. moliniaris in spite of the apparently less shiny pleurites and abdomen
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#5 2019-12-17 13:36:52
- colinleb
- DF Members
- Name: Colin Le Boutillier
- From: Luton, Bedfordshire
- Registered: 2008-03-03
- Posts: 271
Re: Anthomyid - Phorbia
Thanks again Michael. Another successful 'hit' for your key and diagrams.
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