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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:

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Looks like a tachinid to me too :D But not sure which species - can't really see enough :(

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Is that (maroon?) color of the scutellum common?

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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. :)

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Sounds like adjusting the reality according to the keys ;)

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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

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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.