Moth-fly/ Owl-midge in my compost bin

4 posts / 0 new

Sat, 26/04/2014 - 21:01

I've got the Psychodidae keys by Phil Withers (1989) but never tried to use them. This very attractive species is abundant in a black compost bin in my Bedfordshire garden at the moment. It looks to me like it ought to be a distinctive species. Can anyone name it or get me close?

Thanks, Mark

Sun, 27/04/2014 - 10:38

David Gibbs

The problem is that I have

The problem is that I have never correlated habitus with the key features. I suspect this will prove to be Telmatoscopus but need details of antennae at least, then a gen prep.

Sun, 27/04/2014 - 20:14

Mark Telfer

Thanks

Thanks Dave, this really does seem to be a family that I shouldn't attempt to dabble in!

Sun, 27/04/2014 - 20:59

(Reply to #3) #4

David Gibbs

I don't find them easy. You

I don't find them easy. You really need them slide mounted and studied at high power. New key soon so might have another go when it's published.