Posted by nick upton on 14-03-2010 16:46
#1
Is it possible for anyone to identify this large metallic green fly, maybe a Lucilia sp. Greenbottle. (L. caesar?? or are there many very similar species that cannot be separated from photos alone?
Photographed 25.6.09 in a Wiltshire garden, close to a dead mole killed by a cat which it then flew to!!
NickU - Generalist naturalist and photographer
Posted by tim worfolk on 15-03-2010 21:47
#2
Hi Nick, none of the experts seem to have taken this up so I'll have a go.
Definitely
Lucilia but there are 7 spp. in Britain and in most cases you're going to need a male specimen and examine it's genitalia to get it down to species. However, I think you can at least narrow it down from a photo; a dark basicosta and lack of marginal bristles on the 3rd abdomninal segment (which this seems to show) limits it to one of three spp.
ampullacea, caesar or
illustris. Not much help, I'm afraid - I've never been able to determine one of these to species.
Tim
Posted by nick upton on 15-03-2010 23:11
#3
Thanks Tim, at least it seems i got close to an ID! And i guessed it wouldn't be possible to get more specific than "Lucilia sp." from a photo alone and you've helped narrow it down closer than that.
Here's another shot of it checking out the dead mole I mentioned!
Nick