General discussion

Description

General news and comments about true flies (Diptera) and the Dipterists Forum

Opomyzidae

Submitted by Ray Morris on

Recently I came across 2019 records of Opomyzidae from Leicestershire originating via iRecord from  C Cathrine & N Currie who used a range of methods.  These records do not appear in the County database and I was wondering if anyone was familiar with the recorders and how to get in touch with them to find out more information about their local work.

 

Any leads would be welcome!

 

Ray Morris

 

Sciaridae

Submitted by Ray Morris on

I've been collating the records of Sciaridae in VC55 Leicestershire & Rutland and came across the excellent review of British species produced by Menzel, Smith & Chandler in 2006 which included survey work they did in VC55 in 2003. A follow-up came from the 8th International Congress of Dipterology (2014). Both mentioned work towards a new Handbook of this family to replace the severely out-of-dat RES Handbook on Mycetophilidae which included the Sciaridae by Freeman.

Public liability insurance

Submitted by Sam Thomas on

Hi all,

In the process of organising a collecting permission I've been asked for a public liability insurance certificate. 

I understand that as an affiliated orgnisation of the BENHS we have public liability insurance for members. 

Does anyone know how I would go about getting a copy of the certificate?

Many thanks,

Sam 

David Gibbs

Submitted by colinleb on

The email address for David Gibbs in the latest Bulletin (No.94) is not working.  Is he still able to deal with enquiries about Pipunculidae does anyone know?  How can I contact him?

Bristleshins (Muscidae: Phaonia) on Flickr

Submitted by SFalk on

For any muscid-lovers out there, the big genus Phaonia (currently 47 British species) has just been added to my Flickr site:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/63075200@N07/collections/72157632827499245/. All but 4 species get at least basic photographic coverage, and all 47 species get a species account (click 'show more'). Most are not so difficult once you get your eye in though I could do with seeing more material of the lugubris/meigeni/morio/consobrina/subfuscinervis quagmire (I've yet to see a genuine meigeni as currently defined).

Brachypalpus laphriformis Diptera Syrphidae

Submitted by BoydBarr on

I am looking for records for B. laphriformis from Scotland.

I have recently recorded this species for the first time in Ballinluig Nr. Pitlochry, Perthshire.

3 specimens so far, first, in malaise trap 13-27 May 2022, second, 7th June 2022,  third, 1st July 2022.

I can see no other records for Scotland within the Literature, however, I have found two other records in Gbif data. The first from NN9848 3622 on 23rd May 2018 recorded by Carl C. Farmer, the second From NN1283 8763 recorded by Ian I. Strachan.

DF Bursaries for events in 2023

Each year Dipterists Forum offers bursaries towards the costs of attending our spring identification workshop at FSC Preston Montford, and our summer field meeting. The bursaries cover half of the total costs (including accommodation).

Is this a Ferdinandea cuprea female?

Found on 8th August in my Leicestershire garden.

 

Approx. 10mm long.  Various characteristics seem to fit with F. cuprea rather than F. ruficornis, but I'm not sure whether there have been any recent 'confusion species' arrivals from Europe. I would be grateful for comments.