Ectopsocus petersi, Kingmoor Nature Reserve, 14 October 18 (2 of 3)
Ectopsocus petersi barkfly (female) found on a gatepost in the Kingmoor South Nature Reserve, Carlisle, 14 October 18.
The National Barkfly Recording Scheme (Britain and Ireland) website includes four Ectopsocus species:
www.brc.ac.uk/schemes/barkfly/key/A1-B-C1.htm
E. axillaris can be immediately eliminated on grounds of colouring (Photo 1), and E. meridionalis has so far only been found in Ireland. So realistically the choice is between E. briggsi and E. petersi - both of which are described as common.
The forewing markings (Photo 2) suggest E. petersi, but according to the RES psocoptera handbook (T R New) "Considerable taxonomic confusion has occurred, particularly amongst species with dark marginal spots at the end of the forewing veins, and careful examination is needed to identify these". Because of this I've not previously submitted any records for Ectopsocidae, despite having found them in most of the sites I regularly visit.
In order to convincingly separate out the two species in question it's necessary for female specimens to examine the subgenital plate - which considering the small size of the insect isn't that easy with my low-powered microscope! Photo 3 gives a ventral view of the lower abdomen cleared overnight in 10% KOH solution. The plate has a pair of apical lobes, and in the case of E. petersi the inner margins of the lobes are parallel, whereas in the case of E. briggsi the margins are noticeably convergent. Although comparison with the reference images included on the NBRS website is not straightforward, it seems to me that the first condition applies, supporting the argument for Ectopsocus petersi.
All photos were taken using the integral camera on my SX10D microscope, Photo 1 at 20x and Photos 2 and 3 and 40x magnification.
Note added 18 October: The Ectopsocus petersi Id was confirmed today by psocoptera expert Keith Fowler on iRecord.
Ectopsocus petersi, Kingmoor Nature Reserve, 14 October 18 (2 of 3)
Ectopsocus petersi barkfly (female) found on a gatepost in the Kingmoor South Nature Reserve, Carlisle, 14 October 18.
The National Barkfly Recording Scheme (Britain and Ireland) website includes four Ectopsocus species:
www.brc.ac.uk/schemes/barkfly/key/A1-B-C1.htm
E. axillaris can be immediately eliminated on grounds of colouring (Photo 1), and E. meridionalis has so far only been found in Ireland. So realistically the choice is between E. briggsi and E. petersi - both of which are described as common.
The forewing markings (Photo 2) suggest E. petersi, but according to the RES psocoptera handbook (T R New) "Considerable taxonomic confusion has occurred, particularly amongst species with dark marginal spots at the end of the forewing veins, and careful examination is needed to identify these". Because of this I've not previously submitted any records for Ectopsocidae, despite having found them in most of the sites I regularly visit.
In order to convincingly separate out the two species in question it's necessary for female specimens to examine the subgenital plate - which considering the small size of the insect isn't that easy with my low-powered microscope! Photo 3 gives a ventral view of the lower abdomen cleared overnight in 10% KOH solution. The plate has a pair of apical lobes, and in the case of E. petersi the inner margins of the lobes are parallel, whereas in the case of E. briggsi the margins are noticeably convergent. Although comparison with the reference images included on the NBRS website is not straightforward, it seems to me that the first condition applies, supporting the argument for Ectopsocus petersi.
All photos were taken using the integral camera on my SX10D microscope, Photo 1 at 20x and Photos 2 and 3 and 40x magnification.
Note added 18 October: The Ectopsocus petersi Id was confirmed today by psocoptera expert Keith Fowler on iRecord.