Africa Wild

No more of either the "Root Maggot Fly", or the ant above.

The ant info. looks pretty interesting - look forward to reading more!

Ok, even without close-up, I can see that the petiole is without teeth and there is a contrast of the red legs and the dark body plus punctures, this makes it Platythyrea schultzei

Entry done!


ExFmem, what is your opinion on the A. fly? Do you think they are the same?

Main difference to me is the obvious abdomen shape - is that just male/female? I really don’t see major differences, but also don’t know how much variance in coloration, etc there is in a particular species. Seems to be some differences in the legs - color/size... I know I’m not a very helpful partner here, but I just don’t have enough experience in the minutiae and the spectrum of variance for different characteristics.

I have been looking now for a while and I think they are not the same.

Even if the first one is a male.

The thorax pattern don't match.

We use the second one for the entry we have and look again at your figures to find what the male is.

A wide moth - 4-5 cm.

Very lethargic and obviously relies on the brilliant camouflage, hugging the surface it is on!

Nelspruit

Thanks for doing the Anthomyia entries.

As regards the Quartinia sp. (small black/yellow one on yellow flower), I received this from Sarah Gess, “The attached images are of Quartinia. There are 87 described species and still many undescribed. Your photos are very good and when it’s possible to go to the museum I might be able to tell you the species.”

I'll write it up as Q. sp. until I hear anything further.

ExFmem

Very happy to have Sarah Gess to assist


Looking forward to see your excellent photos of this little beauty.
Quartinia species range in length from a little over 2 mm to 7 mm. In comparison with the great majority of species of other genera of Masarinae even the largest Quartinia are relatively small.

I still can not tell apart the genera, but I think the clubbed antennae are a major character would be great if you find something.

Richprins wrote: ↑Thu Jun 18, 2020 5:36 pm A wide moth - 4-5 cm.

Very lethargic and obviously relies on the brilliant camouflage, hugging the surface it is on!


Nelspruit

Very good description but I can not Id it, it might be a moth in the tribe Xanthorhoini, geometer moth

Ok, let's see!