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Photo#880280
Conopidae- Thick-headed flies, Physocephala sp male - Physocephala sagittaria - male

Conopidae- Thick-headed flies, Physocephala sp male - Physocephala sagittaria - Male
Skidaway Island, Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia, USA
August 26, 2012
I believe the genus is Physocephala here, sex male. The characters "anterior crossvein well beyond middle of discal cell"; and "hind femur irregularly thickened and widest in its basal portion" both hold. I note there appear to be no ocelli. The "T" shape on the frons appears pure black (P.sagittaria?). I have a good image of the wing venation taken on, 7 August 2012, which I will submit separately. I have one duplication; however, did not know how to frass it.

I have been studying Aaron Schusteff's vettings of Physocephala posts and feel comfortable with my observations.

Images of this individual: tag all
Conopidae- Thick-headed flies, Physocephala sp male - Physocephala sagittaria - male Conopidae- Thick-headed flies, Physocephala sp - Physocephala sagittaria - male Conopidae- Thick-headed flies, Physocephala sp - Physocephala sagittaria - male Conopidae- Thick-headed flies, Physocephala sp - Physocephala sagittaria - male Conopidae- Thick-headed flies, Physocephala sp - Physocephala sagittaria - male

You have genus & species correct here, Fitz.
The "femur bulging at base" character of Physocephala is unmistakable in the image above. And, though it's hard to make out in the 560 x 560 pixel image that most BugGuide visitors can see, it's easy to verify that the crossvein r-m is well beyond the middle of the discal cell in the full-size version of your dorsal image in this series.

The infuscated discal cell, conspicuous yellow humeral spots, and red scutellum, confirm this is P. sagittaria...and other characters consistent with that ID are visible elsewhere (i.e. the central yellow spot of the cheek and dark facial groove).

The mostly dark brown abdomen (with thin, yellow, apical bands) and mostly dark thorax indicate affinities with the dark form of P. sagittaria that Loew called P. genualis.

I think it may be a female though...there's a vague intimation of a thickened wedge attached to the 5 sternite that could be a theca.

 
Aaron- this is most exciting
Aaron- this is most exciting that you have rendered the species ID, "Physocephala sagittaria ". It is interesting to me that we have here, Skidaway Island, Savannah, Chatham County, Ga both the genus Physocephala as well as Physoconops during the same time period, as well as feeding upon the same nectar sources.

I am most appreciative for the extensive period of time you have given to the BugGuide submissions of these two genus that have been submitted over the past number of years. You have indeed really turned and burned that midnight oil. You are to be commended. Thanks.

Moved
Moved from Physocephala.

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