Possible Muscid - Limnophora

Moved

… Even Dankowicz, 6 October, 2021 - 8:10am

Moved

… John Schneider, 20 September, 2021 - 12:26pm

I don't think this is Brontae

I don't think this is Brontaea, but rather Limnophora. The male specimen(s) of Limnophora narona (also in the Nearctic) from this site look identical. There is also this male that I keyed out. The character of Limnophora that differs from Brontaea is the presence of setae at the base of R4+5. This might be a difficult feature to see because the setae must be very pale. However, I cannot see if this character is there or not. I wonder if Brontaea has hairs on the prosternum (not visible here), because at least several genera of Muscidae do not except for Limnophora.

… Arturo Santos, 19 January, 2020 - 5:39pm

I believe you are correct.

I've had a chance to re-examine the specimen and it does key to Limnophora (honestly don't know how I got to Brontea!). It pretty much fits the description of L. narona, but I don't think our fauna has a modern revision so I'm hesitant to say it definitely is that species.

Thanks for the correction.

… Brad Barnd, 5 October, 2021 - 8:38pm

Re: Limnophora page

There isn't a page for genus Limnophora. Shall I go ahead and create one, or is it not an official taxon? I'm just surprised that there isn't a page already.

… John Schneider, 5 October, 2021 - 9:00pm

OK to go for it. It wasn't cr

OK to go for it. I think it wasn't created before just because there are so few muscid curators on BG.

… Even Dankowicz, 6 October, 2021 - 8:07am

Hey, Brad!

I've missed seeing you here. Welcome back.

… John Schneider, 5 October, 2021 - 8:59pm

Brontaea delecta (Wulp), male

Moved from Brontaea. ID'd from voucher specimen.

A widespread filth-fly, common on feces. The female and male look quite different.

… Brad Barnd, 12 August, 2017 - 11:49pm

Thanks, Brad

It was in an area near some trash dumpsters and where people sometimes walk their dogs. Glad to contribute a species that's common yet not well-represented in the guide.

… John Schneider, 13 August, 2017 - 10:59am

Was there water nearby?

… Arturo Santos, 22 December, 2020 - 12:21pm

There is a roadside ditch abo

There is a roadside ditch about 30 feet away, but it's dry except when it's been raining. I don't remember if it had been raining, but I would guess not.

… John Schneider, 22 December, 2020 - 12:37pm

[url=https://collections-zool

This is the male of B. arcuata (=B. delecta) which looks quite different from this, having a pair of spots on tergite 5 instead of a single central mark, and also the pattern on the thorax. Brad had the specimen though so if this really did not have any setulae on the base of wing vein R4+5 then I don't know.
The North American members of the genus Limnophora in the strict sense has yet to have a needed revision. Both genera have 1 posterior bristle on the mid tibia, 1 anterordorsal bristle on the hind tibia, and 1 anteroventral bristle on the hind tibia; no posterior/posterodorsal bristles on the hind tibia. Otherwise the two share many traits but appear to be different in habitus to me.

… Arturo Santos, 23 December, 2020 - 11:30am

Comment edited for clarity

… Arturo Santos, 20 September, 2021 - 11:49am

Thanks, Arturo. Given the unc

Thanks, Arturo. Given the uncertainty between an ID of Limnophora or Brontaea, and given that those genera are in different subfamilies, I've moved these images up to family level. I'll defer to you if you think a more specific placement is appropriate.

… John Schneider, 20 September, 2021 - 12:28pm

Good. Muscid classification,

Good. Muscid classification, even at the subfamily level, is a disaster. Workers cannot come to a consensus and it is still under research. For starters, Brontaea is probably supposed to be Gymnodia anyway (I should've said this earlier).

… Arturo Santos, 20 September, 2021 - 4:11pm

Brontaea sp., male

Moved from House Flies and kin. Tentatively ID'd from specimen, now a photo-voucher. Thanks John.

Still looking into this one.

… Brad Barnd, 11 August, 2017 - 12:10am

Thanks, John

View of abdomen added, since it has some markings.

… John Schneider, 29 July, 2017 - 4:57pm

Moved

Moved from Flies.

… John F. Carr, 29 July, 2017 - 4:52pm