Here is an absolute beauty that goes by the name of Adejeania vexatrix – note the extremely long palps protruding forwards and the long proboscis, in this specimen held under the body.
The second specimen was taken in Ecuador (Napo, Rio Hollin, 1350m ASL) by Andrew Neild. This compares very favourably to specimens of Adejeania verrugena Townsend in the NHM (London).
The third specimen was taken in Argentina (Salta Province, Huaypa, Huasi, E of Cachi) by S. Kayss & M. Ohl. The body & wing colouration is very different to the others but it shares some very significant major features and keys well to Adejeania in the Nearctic Manual. After comparing it to material in the NHM (London) I have concluded that it most resembles Eudejeania melenax.
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- Adejeania vexatrix (female) from Arizona, USA
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- Adejeania cf. verrugena (female) from Ecuador
Eudejeania melenax (male) from Argentina
Chris,
WOW!! That Adejeania is something else. What incredible and robust spikes. And the palp is huge. What on eart can such spikiness have evolved for?
It must be like Christmas when these flies arrive in the post for you. UK Tachs will never sem so exciting again!
Cheers
Nigel
I love receiving parcels of flies and when you see some of the more extraordinary tropical ones it does make the heart jump a little 🙂 Larger flies like these are also easier to identify because they are easier to locate in a large, world collections. But (sadly) they are not the normal and most tachinids in the tropics are just as small or anonymous as the ones we get here! 😉