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Hi All,

I'm completely new here so hi to all first. This summer I've made a large number of snapshots of insects (and such), basically because I found out my low-cost, low-quality camera could do a 2cm macro and sometimes even do a fair job of it (when there is enough light). So I thought it might be nice to shoot some pictures for wikipedia orso. Well, the problem is, ofcourse, that I'm a total nincompoop when it comes to determination of insects. I've bought some hobby-quality "Nature Guides" but often these do not help a whole lot. Then, after going through a lot of trouble trying to find out what I have, it usually turns out to be something very common and there are already a zillion better pictures available. But I'm not giving up B)

I had the attached picture down for Tabanus bromius, but J?rgen of insektenfotos.de seems to think it's not (and probably rightfully so). Looking at the gallery here I'm now thinking maybe T. eggeri? but I really don't have a clue what to look for. Just guessing/hoping this should be a real easy one for the experts...

Edit: Oops - pic taken 2006-07-28 near water (Twentekanaal), in the vicinity of Goor, Overijssel, Netherlands. It is probaly a female as she stung just while I was taking the picture.

Thanks for any help
Cheers
Arp

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Hi Arp - Welcome to Diptera.info!
The dark pattern on the wings and the metallic green eyes make this a deerfly - Chrysops. And the brown tibiae and characteristic marking of the abdomen make it Chrysops relictus. And you're right about the sex - only the females bite. ;)

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Thanks a lot Tony - especially for also explaining what to look for!

At least I had the Tabanidae right - even if not Tabanus :|

Thanks again
Arp