Scaptia sp. (genus)
March fly at Cotter River, ACT
Identify this sighting
| Scaptia sp. (genus) | KimPullen | 8 Feb 2017 | |
| Scaptia sp. (genus) | KimPullen | 8 Feb 2017 | |
| Dasybasis | HarveyPerkins | 29 Jan 2017 |
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6 comments
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.
30 Jan 2017
OK - thanks, Dave. I just naively suggested Dasybasis based on superficial similarity to the Dasybasis already in CNM.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Location information
- Coordinates 148.825674-35.346475
- Maps Namadgi National Park
- Places Cotter River, ACT
Sighting information
- 1 Abundance
- 8 Jan 2010 12:16 PM Recorded on
- HarveyPerkins Recorded by
- 12mm to 25mm Animal size
Collections
- HarveyPerkins Canberra & Southern Tablelands NatureMapr Scaptia sp. (genus) March or Horse flies (Tabanidae) True flies (Diptera) Insects
Species information
- Scaptia sp. (genus) Scientific name
- March fly Common name
- Not Sensitive
- Local native
- Non-invasive or negligible
- Up to 1702.42m Recorded at altitude
- External link More information
Record quality
Quality score
4 / 7
- Images or audio
- More than one media file
- Verified by an expert moderator
- Additional attributes
- Nearby sighting(s) of same species
- GPS evidence of location
- Description