Pipiza species help please

[oceanlis2000]

Hello

This is a Pipiza species, I have had a look at the UK checklist on this site and it lists 5 in the UK

Spp. Pipiza austriaca Meigen, 1822
3



Spp. Pipiza bimaculata Meigen, 1822
4



Spp. Pipiza fenestrata Meigen, 1822
3



Spp. Pipiza festiva Meigen, 1822


Spp. Pipiza lugubris (Fabricius, 1775)
4



Spp. Pipiza luteitarsis Zetterstedt, 1843
2



Spp. Pipiza noctiluca (Linnaeus, 1758


From these I can rule out Pipiza bimaculata (no wing shade on male or female) and Pipiza luteitarsis as the front tarsi are black and not yellow. Pipiza festiva has a band of yellow on the abdomen so can be ruled out anyway.

I would be grateful if anyone could help out further to help ID the photo.

The photo was taken on 31/05/10 in mid-Wales

Thanks

[Sam Bryo]

Judging by Stubbs & Falk (2002) it's either austriaca or noctiluca depending on whether the hind femur is very thickened (which it appears to be in your photo) or not. The others all seem to be ruled out, as you say. No Pipiza spp here yet in my bit of mid Wales (Brechfa in north-central Carmarthenshire), but I seldom see the genus anywhere.

Sam

[oceanlis2000]

Thanks Sam

I thought it may be austriaca so good to be able to narrow it down first time I've seen this species here in mid-Wales so good news

[Ian Andrews]

Most Pipiza are not possible from photos. The idea of a swollen hind femur is not an obvious one and you need a very clear view to see the difference, even under a microscope. You certainly cannot even begin to comment on the thickness of this one.

Also, there is considerable doubt about the validity of some of the species, so it is best to keep specimens and await developments. I have several of which I am very unsure.

Nice flies, but difficult!!

Ian

[conopid]

Absolutely. There's not really any point in trying to ID Pipiza from photos. They are often very difficult from specimens - indeed they are frequently indeterminable as they are so variable. Best just to call it female Pipiza spp.