Insect ID help please

Discussion

3 replies

Posted by Philip Kirkham on July 13, 2006 at 10:14 AM

Out taking damselfly images today, by a pond in a wood. This little fly, just less than 1/2 inch long including tail, was on a small thistle head and seemed to be sucking the pollen from it. Can anyone ID it please?
Thanks & best wishes
Phil

Posted by Ben Micklem on July 13, 2006 at 11:17 AM

It is something similar to a Spear thistle gall fly, though not that exact species. Of the genus Urophora. There is a photo that looks to be the same species on this page:
http://aramel.free.fr/INSECTES15-6.shtml
Which they think could be Urophora terebrans.

The 'tail' is a damaged ovipositor- it should be straight and darker, I think.

Posted by Philip Kirkham on July 13, 2006 at 11:21 AM

Thanks Ben, I would NEVER have found that. I wish I could understand the French though!
Best wishes
Phil

Posted by PhilH on July 13, 2006 at 4:52 PM

I believe Ben is correct with Urophora sp. I am away from the museum till Monday, will try to get you an exact ID then.

All the best

Phil