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Photo#8527
Gray Fishfly - Neohermes - female

Gray Fishfly - Neohermes - Female
Durham County, North Carolina, USA
June 11, 2004
Found at a lighted wall at my favorite pharmacy in southern Durham. I thought at first this was a Chauliodes fishfly, but realized I was incorrect. The antennae are different: bead-like, not feathery or serrate as in Chauliodes. I noticed, also, the very dark, gray coloration. I did not measure size on this individual, unfortunately. My impression was that it was slightly shorter and less robust than a Chauliodes. I have seen this species just one other time here in Durham.

Details of head, and see especially, detail of antenna at right below. Based on references to males having very long antennae with long hairs between each segment, I believe this to be a female.

This is likely Neohermes angusticollis. Brimley, p. 28, lists Chauliodes (Neohermes) angusticollis as flying in June in North Carolina. (1) North Carolina State University Collection lists for that state: angusticollis (16 specimens) and rastinicornis (8 specimens). I'm uncertain as to the status of N. rastinicornis. I do not see it on any other lists--the listing at NCSU might be an error.

Images of this individual: tag all
Gray Fishfly - Neohermes - female Gray Fishfly - Neohermes - female

Suspect this is Neohermes, anybody confirm?
I found some more descriptions (and one image) of Neohermes--see the guide page. The antennae of that genus are supposed to be "moniliform" versus serrate, or pectinate for the similar Chauliodes. The really dark grey wings and dark legs, also do not look like Chauliodes I've seen.

Patrick Coin
Durham, North Carolina

Arnett has a key
Did you try the key on page 345 (1)? I realize it might be too technical for what's visible in the photo, but just thought I'd mention it in case you hadn't tried that already.

 
thanks, a look at the key...
I hadn't thought of that. The important couplet seems to be:
4(2)
-Median vein of hind wing with 3 branches reaching wing margin --->5 (Neohermes and Protochauliodes)
-Median vein of hindwing with 2 branches reaching wing margin-->6 (Nigronia and Chauliodes).

Looks like I can't see the hindwing on my photo. The key does describe Neohermes as having "antennae of male elongate, moniliform, with many erect hairs in band around each segment." Maybe so on my photo, but I don't know what a female Chauliodes looks like. Hmm. Head sure looks different than the other specimens I've seen. Also much more black.

I'm now not so sure about the NCSU collection listing--could be in error. Neohermes was formerly in Chauliodes, so my other reference, Brimley (1) is not helping much with plausbile listings.

Patrick Coin
Durham, North Carolina

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