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Hello!

Please would you help me with an ID. I haven't got a clue about this one.

Small black fly, coarse black hairs on body, brown wings pointing backwards, brown legs with substantial thighs. Very confident fly for its size, not afraid of much!

Seen on tansy in garden in Mid-Essex, third week in August 2011.

I've got quite a few pics of the fly in different positions if this one isn't good enough, but they're all about the same size.

Thanks!

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I thought I'd add this pic as it shows the fly's butt and thighs very well!

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Looks like a Phania funesta (Tachinidae):
http://www.dipter...to_id=3027

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Agreed - Phania definitely - and funesta is a good bet :) The wings aren't really brown though - you might be being confused by objects behind the fly showing through.

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Hello Tristram and Chris!

Thanks for getting back to me so soon. I should have gone with my instincts and delved deeper into the Tachinids. That bristly butt, the way it behaved... but it was so much smaller than the other tachinids I've come across so far.

Is this one that should be included in the records I shall(!) be sending you, Chris?

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PS: Is it possible to tell if this fly is male or female?

I've just discovered another photo of a fly (misfiled) which looks very similar, but with slightly different eyes...

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The males & females often so have different spacing between the eyes (females have a wider frons) but I haven't honestly looked at Phania to see how obvious it is. :)

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Thanks Chris, don't fret about the male/female thing. I was just curious.

I might post the other fly later, just in case it is another species. I'm very doubtful about it.

DO YOU WANT THIS ONE FOR YOUR RECORDS, seeing as it's a Tachinid?

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Absolutely - any UK tachinid records are always welcome :)

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OK, will do... sometime!

:D