DIPTERA > BRACHYCERA | Higher Diptera

MUSCOMORPHA > ASCHIZA > Platypezoidea > Platypezidae (34 species)

(subfamilies: Callomyiinae, Microsaniinae and Platypezinae)

This page currently features the three species that I've managed to find in the Platypezinae subfamily.

Platypezinae

The species that are classified in this subfamily also have a posterior cross-vein (dm-cu) enclosing the discal cell just like the members of the Callomyiinae, but can be easily separated as their M vein includes a fork that arises well beyond the cross-vein - the anterior branch of which is complete ending at the wing margin, whereas the posterior branch often stops short; unlike the Callomyiinae, the thorax does not have any acrosticals between the dorsocentrals; first segment of the hind tarsus is much shorter than the combined length of segments 2-5.  

Platypeza consobrina

A widespread and common species across central areas, but far less so in the north and with virtually no records from the south or south-west, which is rather surprising given that nationally it's by far the most frequently recorded member of the genus. At the time of writing there were 52 records on the NBN Atlas, but with only 32 on the iRecord database.

The females have a darkish grey-dusted thorax and a mainly paler grey abdomen with distinct dark, virtually black banding across the posterior margins of tergites T2-T4 that is broadest in the middle and tapering off towards the sides, and progressively getting smaller towards the rear; importantly, tergite T1 has only a vague black mark in the middle and tergite T5 is entirely grey with no dark markings. They are also distinguished by having an anal wing cell that is not tapered apically and about the same length of the portion of the anal vein beyond it. The female seen below was probably about 5mm long and, for its size, more robust that the slightly smaller and generally slimmer Agathomyiaspecies featured on the previous page. At present, I'm not sure how the males are best distinguished from photos so will hold back on commenting until I'm lucky enough to find one and get it identified although I'm not sure that will be possible without a specimen.

Platypeza sp.

Inevitably with four similar species that, certainly in respect of the females, are primarily distinguished by their abdominal markings which can vary from one individual to another, there are bound to be situations when it will not be possible to confirm the identity. Platypeza aterrima and Platypeza hirticeps both have large black markings on tergites T1-T4 and are very difficult to separate, and some Platypeza consobrina may have a bit more than a vague mark on T1, which adds to the problem. The individual featured below that I photographed on honey fungus in the New Forest looks like Platypeza aterrima to me, but I was advised to list it as Platypeza sp. The final species, Platypeza fasciata should, in theory, be more straightforward because as well as having very similar markings on T1-T4 it also has a small triangular patch on T5.           

Protoclythia modesta

The most frequently observed platypezid species, but still with relatively few confirmed records on either the NBN Atlas (122) or iRecord (37) and, again, none from Dorset apart from my recent sightings.

From a quick glance the females look rather like the previous species as they are a similar size and have much the same general colouration, although a bit paler, but instead of effectively having three dark abdominal bands they have four. Tergite T1 may or may not have a vague mark, but tergites T2-T5 have very definite dark bands that are again broadest in the middle and tapering off towards the side, but slightly less pointed at the centre. The important thing though is that this banding extends to tergite T5, whereas in Platypeza consobrina it's entirely grey. The males appear very dark, almost black, although with a very slight bluish sheen on the thorax but, upon closer inspection, the abdomen is actually mainly dark brown with paler, more or less yellowish, sides of tergites T1-T4.

Protoclythia rufa

At the risk of repeating myself, this is another under-recorded species with only 56 records on the NBN Atlas and 32 on the iRecord database at the time of writing. The individual currently featured below was actually the first platypezid that I photographed.

As can be seen from the photos, the females of the two species in this genus can very easily be separated purely from the colour of their abdomen. In Protoclythia rufa it is a lovely brownish-orange colour, again with very similar markings that correspond with Protoclythia modesta except that they're a darker shade of brownish-orange rather than dark grey. The males can be similarly distinguished as they have a brownish-orange abdomen with narrow dark hind margins - very different to the previous species.

I should also mention again that the respective length of the first hind tarsal segment separates Protoclythia from Platypeza, being elongate in the former and chunkier, more compact in the latter.

All of the above species are strongly associated with Armillaria, a parasitic honey fungus that typically grows on or around the base of trees, where they may well be found with other Platypeza or Protoclythia species.

NB. all identities have been checked and confirmed by Ryan Mitchell who is one of the country's leading authorities on Platypezidae species.

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Oct.24