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Tachinid fly?
Jan Zwaaneveld	#1 Posted on 02-09-2006 21:50
Member Location: Leerdam, Netherlands Posts: 721 Joined: 20.02.06	Yesterday I photographed this spiky fly, which looks like a member of the Tachinidae family to me. I recently learned that there are lots and lots of black and grey Tachinidae, so perhaps id to species level is not possible. On the other hand, who knows, so here it is: Jan Zwaaneveld attached the following image: [127.31Kb]


ChrisR	#2 Posted on 03-09-2006 00:15
Super Administrator Location: Reading, England Posts: 7703 Joined: 12.07.04	Looks like a tachinid to me too But not sure which species - can't really see enough


crex	#3 Posted on 03-09-2006 09:29
Member Location: Sweden Posts: 1996 Joined: 22.05.06	Is that (maroon?) color of the scutellum common?


ChrisR	#4 Posted on 03-09-2006 11:06
Super Administrator Location: Reading, England Posts: 7703 Joined: 12.07.04	It's actually faintly orange ... ignoring any grey dusting over the top, tachinids usually either have black or varying degrees of orange chitin on the scutellum. In some lights this can look a little red but most keys will refer to only black or orange.


crex	#5 Posted on 03-09-2006 11:59
Member Location: Sweden Posts: 1996 Joined: 22.05.06	Sounds like adjusting the reality according to the keys


Zeegers	#6 Posted on 03-09-2006 14:36
Member Location: Soest, NL Posts: 18917 Joined: 21.07.04	The pic is consistent with Phryxe vulgaris, a very common species. Especially the broad vertex in male (this is a male) in combination with erect apical scutellar bristles and hairy eyes = Phryxe in 90 % of the cases. Most, probably Phryxe vulgaris. Theo Zeegers


Jan Zwaaneveld	#7 Posted on 03-09-2006 17:46
Member Location: Leerdam, Netherlands Posts: 721 Joined: 20.02.06	Thank you, Theo, that is more than I dared to expect! Unfortunately, the fly only allowed one picture. But since it's very common, I will probably get another chance one of these days.