Stem dweller, reed canary

Moved

Moved from Flies.

… John F. Carr, 28 October, 2017 - 3:16pm

Lixophaga?

In one key it goes to Lixophaga, "reared from a wide variety of both lepidopterous and coleopterous larvae, most of which tunnel in stems, fruits, or leaves or spin retreats and are relatively inaccessible to those tachinids that must contact their host." (Wood, 1985)

Can you get a picture of sternite 5?

… John F. Carr, 28 October, 2017 - 3:16pm

Sternites are

the ventral surfaces of the plates on the abdomen, right? I only count 4 on this specimen.

… John van der Linden, 31 October, 2017 - 3:08pm

Numbering

Numbering can be confusing in calyptrate flies. Tergite 5 is the fourth apparent tergite because the first two are fused. Underneath, sternite 5 is the U-shaped sternite between the rectangular anterior sternites (often mostly hidden in Tachinidae) and the male genitalia.

In Lixophaga sternite 5 has long bristles. See Figure 262 in the Tachinidae chapter of Manual of Nearctic Diptera. I see long bristles close to the right area but I'm not sure they come from sternite 5.

… John F. Carr, 31 October, 2017 - 3:47pm

After revisiting the specimen

I don't think I'll be able to get a good shot of sternite 5 with my current equipment (drat). Thanks again for your help, though, John.

… John van der Linden, 3 November, 2017 - 11:56am

Ugh

I'm so ignorant of fly anatomy, but your clarification and that Tachinidae chapter are both helpful (thanks!). I'll take another look at the specimen and see if I can get better pictures.

… John van der Linden, 31 October, 2017 - 4:47pm

Will do

Thanks for taking a look, John!

… John van der Linden, 28 October, 2017 - 3:59pm