Scaptia sp. (genus)

March fly at Cotter River, ACT

Scaptia sp. (genus) at Cotter River, ACT - 8 Jan 2010
Scaptia sp. (genus) at Cotter River, ACT - 8 Jan 2010
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Identification history

Scaptia sp. (genus) 8 Feb 2017 KimPullen
Scaptia sp. (genus) 8 Feb 2017 KimPullen
Dasybasis sp. (genus) 29 Jan 2017 HarveyPerkins

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6 comments

DaveFerg wrote:
   30 Jan 2017
Dasybasis and Scaptia are very similar, though a quick reckoner that can separate these two are found on the wing. Dasybasis is uniformly clear or slightly grey and free of marking, while Scaptia typically has a darkened or infuscate basal area and a darkened patch; this is Scaptia.
HarveyPerkins wrote:
   30 Jan 2017
OK - thanks, Dave. I just naively suggested Dasybasis based on superficial similarity to the Dasybasis already in CNM.
DaveFerg wrote:
   30 Jan 2017
Harvey, you are turning up flies that are not normally encountered and can be challenging ... great work! I hope how I explain the complex taxonomy that is used to identify these flies is useful.
HarveyPerkins wrote:
   31 Jan 2017
HI Dave - yes, I really do appreciate your comments and explanations on distinguishing various taxonomic rankings. While I find flies really interesting (especially the Tabanoid and Asiloid groups) I don't have a lot of experience in the finer taxonomic levels, and my old 1st edn copy of the CSIRO The Insects of Australia that I've had since 1979 can only go so far, which is why your situation-specific comments can be so helpful. Thanks.
DaveFerg wrote:
   31 Jan 2017
Hi Harvey, Thanks, it's obvious you have a keen interest and an eye for these flies, ... that asilid you photographed the other day in near the ACT southern border is very interesting.
I figure instead of just suggesting another option, family, species etc, I can do more through the comments helping to clarify some of the characters that separate these flies, hopefully, this will help you and others understand these flies better.
KimPullen wrote:
   9 Feb 2017
Identification by Dave Ferguson.

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  • 1 Abundance
  • 8 Jan 2010 12:16 PM Recorded on
  • HarveyPerkins Recorded by

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  • 12mm to 25mm Animal size

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