Root-Maggot Fly - Delia

Species characters

This fly will have a short to long row of long hairs on the lower rear of the hind femur ("posteroventral"). That row can help distinguish species. Also possibly important are the hairs on the mid basitarsus.

An accurate count of some bristles on the hind tibia may also be useful, specifically the dense row of posteroventral (some in a double row) and the less dense row of anterior/anteroventral bristles. There will be 20-50 pv and a few to well over 10 av.

The most likely species are platura and florilega. I think I can rule out radicum (the original "root maggot") although I don't have a full description of the species. Those and antiqua are the widespread pest species.

Are there any crops nearby? For example, one species is mostly limited to onions and relatives, and another will eat anything and loves corn.

… John F. Carr, 20 December, 2013 - 10:33am

No oignon field in this regio

No oignon field in this region. But one place where I often go for fly, beetle or other insects is just nearby a corn field. Quite possible that I have collected it there.

… Richard Migneault, 20 December, 2013 - 11:11am

Moved

Moved from Flies.

… Richard Migneault, 20 December, 2013 - 10:01am

Delia

Delia male. I'll have to look up species characters later.

… John F. Carr, 20 December, 2013 - 9:25am

Thanks John..

… Richard Migneault, 20 December, 2013 - 10:00am