Posted by nick upton on 14-11-2011 21:07
#1
Is it possible to ID this asilid.? I know they're very tricky..
Could it be Machimus rusticus? It seems to have tufts of pale hairs just above the proboscis which one source suggested was distinctive.
It is listed as vulnerable species in the UK, but it was in its classic habitat, a species rich chalk grassland reserve and it is quite common at other chalkland sites such as Stonehenge around 30km away
14.8.11 c15mm Chalk grassland, Wiltshire, UK
Edited by nick upton on 15-11-2011 17:55
Posted by Quaedfliegh on 16-11-2011 16:52
#2
Hello Nick,
The Machimus/Tolmerus group is not so difficult for NW Europe for there are not so many species. This is a male Tolmerus (Machimus) atricapillus. M. rusticus has got entirely black femora and the tibia have only got a very small red (edit)basis. I brightened your picture to be sure, there is some red in top of thighs and tibia are too red. Have a look http://www.robberflies.info/keyger/htmle/keymachimus.html#1
Edited by Quaedfliegh on 03-12-2011 00:01
Posted by nick upton on 02-12-2011 23:53
#3
Many thanks Reinoud. Yes, i agree absolutely now I have checked more images.
Edited by nick upton on 02-12-2011 23:53