Cordilura rufimana Meigen, 1826

The fore- and mid- tibia are clear yellow, whilst the hind tibia is dark brownish with the base narrowly, and the apex more broadly yellow, although I have seen specimens with very dark hind tibia. The darker colouration is most noticeable on the dorsal surface and the colour difference, compared to the anterior four legs, is not all that striking in some specimens in the collection of the Natural History Museum. Hackman's key (1956)[1] places this in the group of species with dark hind tibia, which leads me to think that this material perhaps needs re-examination! The setulae above vein R₁ are quite variable, being dark and readily visible in some specimens (although always fine) but pale and far from conspicuous in others whilst C. pubera not infrequently does have 1-2 distinct setulae on this vein. Consequently, extreme care is necessary in separating this species and the male genitalia should be examined. Wing length: ♂ 4.4 - 5.1 - 5.9 mm (31); ♀ 4.9 - 5.2 - 5.5 mm (11).

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