We seem to have a problem with images at the moment, will investigate next week. Because I have admin access to the site I can see the photos that you were trying to upload, and they show a barkfly rather than a true fly, so in order Psocoptera rather than Diptera. For more about barkflies see the National Barkfly Recording Scheme.
Hi Tony,
Thank you for that ID. Looks good to me. That genus is not included in the RES key i was using, is there a more up to date one ?
Shelagh McDowall
The latest volume on Mycetophilidae (9, part 8) by Peter Chandler just covers the Mycetophilinae, so excludes Leia and related species. References about species that have been added to the British list (including Greenomyia) can be found in the latest checklist. See https://dipterists.org.uk/checklist
There are two companies I would recommend - GT Vision, and Brunel Microscopes. Both have a good reputation, and may be able to find a demonstration or used microscope at a reduced price. As a rule, you get what you pay for. The cheaper the model, the less good will the optics and lighting be. If you can visit either company, take the opportunity to try out the instrument on an actual specimen, before you make a decision.
That’s really helpful, thanks Tony. Just to confirm as well, would people be using a stereo microscope generally to look at Diptera?
Yes, a stereo microscope is the most useful tool (though a good hand lens can be really helpful). If you want to study some of the tiny species, it may be necessary to slide mount them, in which case a compound microscope makes for better viewing.
I don't know whether the chironomid study group is active at present - the contact is Patrick Roper (patrick@prassociates.co.uk).
Demeijerea rufipes is a very distinctive chironomid - a google search will produce lots of nice photos which should enable positive identification.
I agree that this is not Xanthandrus. The spots on tergite 2 are much larger than those on X. and are in nearly as big as those on tergites 3 and 4, except that they do not reach to the front or sides of the tergite.
However, which Platycheirus? I agree that P. fulviventris is most likely. The yellow legs are a giveaway, the only exceptions being the dull brown of the hind metatarsus AND the sharp black of the outside of the fifth hind tarsal segment. Would you please check whether your specimens have this feature - I've not mentioned it here earlier, nor is it mentioned as diagnostic in any key. P. immarginatus has (according to the revised key) dark markings on hind femur and/or tibia.
Thanks
Anthony
Hi Melanie, if it is not too late to reply, the following might be useful.
For most flies, brightly coloured nail polish will work. A very small brush and a dab on the fly is sufficient. The nail polish will usually dry before the fly cleans it off (again depends on which group). You might have to experiment to find an appropriate place (top of the thorax is often best).
For delicate hairy flies fluorescent powder works well - the flies will glow in ultra violet light, useful for tracking flies at night or in the dark (we used them for tiny phlebotomine sandflies in the desert).
good luck
Richard
Hi, I'm new, my name is Eric, I'm a school science technician, flies are a new hobby to me, I've got an OU Biology degree, £250 microscope, just studied George McGavin's 'Basic Entomology' and watched lots of YouTubes on insects and flies in particular. I'm planning to rear mosquitoes small-scale. Just ordered a £15 hatchery, forceps, etc., and 'The Secret Life of Flies' by Erica McAlister. This is a hobby to me, not a job, pure pleasure. I love the beautiful contrasts within diptera, e.g. homogenous, 'perfect' eyes and bristly, messy body! Gentle, slender, delicate, tiny, and deadliest animal on the planet! Pollinators, recyclers, essential for food chains, and living in shit! Plus of course, like all insects, the diversity, adaptability, age and extinction-defiance! Back to flies ...then there's the flight, mouthparts, speed, living on US, alien quality, ubiquity of flies ......... Anyway, I'm pleased to meet you, I don't do social media as a rule and will stay in the background on this forum until I'm confident to say anything worthwhile. Hi.
Hi, having the same problem! Just wondering, increasingly seeing things that only work in the major browsers (chrome, edge, safari) is this possibly a problem here? I use Firefox.
Like Kate, would very much welcome any advice on fixing this! :)
Thanks!
Can't figure out any way to get my image to appear so, since it's a fairly distinctive (and apparently non-native and highly invasive) little fly, I've taken the plunge and popped it on irecord anyway.
Your pic on iRecord looks fine for Ceratitis capitata. Presumably emerged from some Christmas fruit.
Try Platycheirus fulviventris. This does not appear to be X. comtus, which only has small, distinctly circular yellow spots on tergite 2 and this appears to have more extensive yellow marks on T2. P. fulviventris has almost entrely yellow legs as well. Separating fulvivetris females from immarginatus and perpadillus can be difficult though.