CLOSED: A bug to be identified - green shining body

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Dinu Mysore, India(Zone 10a) Jul 16, 2007

These insects I see rarely in my garden. May be with the camera in hand, the eye sees lots of things! What this is?

Post #3741925

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wallaby1 Lincoln, United Kingdom(Zone 8a) Jul 16, 2007

Dinu, it's a Soldier Fly. There are several which are similar, I have one that looks like yours today today (legs are black and yellow though) which is different to the first ones I had. If I find out which it is I will let you know!

http://davesgarden.com/bf/b/Diptera/Stratiomyidae/none/none/genus/0/

Post #3743510

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wallaby1 Lincoln, United Kingdom(Zone 8a) Jul 16, 2007

It looks like a Sargus sp.

http://aramel.free.fr/INSECTES15ter'.shtml

We might not be able to pin it down to a particular species. I prodded mine from behind to see it's abdomen but it was wet and cold last night, it just scuttled into the foliage so I don't know what colour it is.

They both look to be the same genus to me, the head looks to be attached by a peg. Yours has eyes close together so that would be a male.

Mine has longer antennae, black and yellow legs and eyes apart, a female but I doubt the same species although they do look very similar.

Post #3743617

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wallaby1 Lincoln, United Kingdom(Zone 8a) Jul 16, 2007

Sargus bipunctatus looks good, the antennae are the same and the species name 'bipunctatus' is because of the two white spots on the face. I can see a part of a white spot on yours.

The eyes look different, but the example shown is a female and yours is male so that could be the difference. The legs seem to be the same colour.

http://www.gardensafari.net/pics/vliegen/overig/sargus_bipunctatus_hs4_4132.jpg

http://www.gardensafari.net/english/remaining_flies.htm

This one looks to be a male, click on the pic to enlarge it.

http://www.towerhamletscemetery.org/cep/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=53&Itemid=56

Post #3743786

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Dinu Mysore, India(Zone 10a) Jul 17, 2007

Thanks wallaby. I'll look into them.

Post #3744564

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Dinu Mysore, India(Zone 10a) Jul 18, 2007

Sargus bipunctatus looks good and correct. Thanks wallaby for the identification. Well done.

Post #3750758

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wallaby1 Lincoln, United Kingdom(Zone 8a) Jul 18, 2007

You're welcome Dinu!

I don't think I will be able to find which species mine is, although it does look to be a Sargus. I haven't looked any further, but there doesn't look to be much on the web about them.

Post #3751148

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