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This two-day workshop with David Clements will cover the identification and biology of flies in the families Tephritidae, Ulidiidae, Platystomatidae, Pallopteridae and Opomyzidae – the main families of the so-called ‘picture-winged flies’.  The programme will start with a general introduction to the acalyptrate Diptera families and the distinguishing of the target families, followed by a detailed summary of the species, ecology and biology, main identification resources and techniques for collection, preservation, identification and recording etc.  The latter will include a demonstration of genitalia preparation – a key identification technique which many beginners find a bit intimidating.  A revised and updated set of unpublished keys will be provided, together with access to specimens from the museum’s collection.  Participants can also bring along their own material for identification.

David Clements is a Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society and runs the national Picture-winged Flies Recording Scheme, as well as the Conopid Recording Scheme and many other involvements.  Until recently he ran an ecological consultancy business and was previously an entomologist working at the National Trust Biological Survey and at the National Museum of Wales.  He is now retired and is currently involved in researching the entomology of the UK Overseas Territories, with interests in a wide range of invertebrates.

Workshop level – Beginner/Intermediate 

Photo: Tephritis formosa (female) by Alvesgaspar, CC BY‑SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons