BRITISH BLOWFLIES (CALLIPHORIDAE) AND WOODLOUSE FLIES (RHINOPHORIDAE)

Draft key to British Calliphoridae and Rhinophoridae Steven Falk 2016
Bellardia viarum (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830)
Dark-veined Emerald-bottle
Description & similar species WL 4.5-8.5mm. Superficially resembling B. pandia
and B. vulgaris. Separation, especially from B. vulgaris, is best based on male
genitalia (the outwardly-splayed surstyli of B.viarum are very different to the surstyli
of B. vulgaris) as the hairs and bristles of the tergite 4 can become damaged, though
in good material the hairs of tergite 4 are clearly longer than in B. vulgaris. The basal
wing veins are usually blackish or dark brown both above and below.
Variation Much as for B. pandia.
Flight season Late April September.
Habitat & biology Found in a similar range of habitats to B. pandia. The biology is
unconfirmed, though it is presumed to be an earthworm parasite.
Status & distribution Widespread and fairly frequent over much of Britain as far
north as Easter Ross.
Bellardia viarum male (left) and female (right). Notice the black rather than brown basal wing veins.
Bellardia vulgaris (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830)
Pale-veined Emerald-bottle
Description & similar species WL 4.5-8.5mm. Closely resembling B. viarum and
best distinguished using the male genitalia, though the basal wing veins are usually
paler and the hairs on the disc of tergite 4 much shorter.
Variation Much as for B. pandia.
Flight season late April to October.
Bellardia vulgaris pinned male (left) and female (right). Notice the brown rather than black basal wing
veins.
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