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My dear wife made a beautiful picture of a Gymnosoma species today. It shows lots of details, such as red rings round the antennae and stripes between the eyes. Is this sufficient to determine the exact species?
Photographed today in the garden in central Holland on light sandy soil. Animal was feeding on Goldenrod (Solidago), a wonderful plant for all kinds of flies and wasps.

Thanks a lot in advance,
Hans

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It might be possible for Theo but I know Gymnosoma are very difficult (sometimes impossible) even with specimens) and we only have one 'large' species (rotundatum) in the UK, so I won't hazzard an opinion - other than to say it's a nice photo of a lovely fly :D

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Thanks Chris. I will wait and see whether Theo reacts to this topic and if not: Gymnosoma sp. it will be.

Cheers,

Hans

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It's a male of nudifrons.
Rest assured however, that this ID is more based on the locality than on the picture (I know, cheating): nudifrons is the only species to be expected. Female nudifrons is easy on pictures.


Theo Zeegers