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Is it possible to narrow this to subfamily or genus?

Safe to say it is a male?

Thanks for any ID help.

2 September 2006, Open area near woodlands, West Virginia USA.

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Second view.

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Last photo.

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Well, I think it's Muscidae, but frankly I cannot be sure it's not a calliphorid or a tachinid (though it doesn't look like a dexiine which are usually the only tachinids with plumose antennae. The very large eyes and the gently curving vein M both suggest Muscidae, but I can't key it out to any genus on the visible characters. Nearest I get is Muscina, but have my doubts. No doubt it will be recognised by someone on your side of the Atlantic - over to Bugguide! :)

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Tony, what you say makes perfect sense.

Diptera are really a challenge, aren't they? :(

I have posted this one on BugGuide. Typically BugGuide can offer good and quick IDs on a few families, including Asilidae, Tabanidae, Tipulidae, and Culicidae.

Beyond that, BugGuide has the same problem diptera.info has, and that is a lack of Nearctic fly experts who spend time there. (Of course this latter was not a problem for diptera.info until a few of us Yanks showed up!) In my case I am delighted to get my unknowns identified to family. Subfamily or genus is a real plus. & I know in some cases even a family ID may not be possible from a photo.

Thanks again for all your help!