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Hi,
Today I saw this happy couple on a house wall. Using all my modest experience, I would call them Linnaemya tesselans, the only Linnaemya species Theo said to be expected here. I often took photos of this fly but obviously met only females up to now, as I never recognized that there are red abdomen parts. This male is reddish, however, and in the internet I found pictures that show the same colouration. A confirmation of the name would be fine, as I am still far from being a Tachinid expert (what a luck we have some excellent in this forum!).
Many thanks, Sundew

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Another pic.

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The heads.

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Certainly Linnaemya but hard to say more without specimens. L. tessellans is confirmed by seeing white hairs on sternite 1 ... the other species require checking out the size/distribution of the black bristles on the back of the head. Others might be able to say whether it looks right for tessellans though, from long experience of the alternatives :)

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Well, in the following pic a bit of sternite one of the female is seen laterally, but it is difficult to say even in high magnification whether there are white hairs or if it is just a matter of light...

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Well, sternite 3 or 4 is visible ... but sternite 1 is a tiny sliver of chitin at the base of the abdomen ... very hard to see, even with a specimen.

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Need to check this.
First impression is that it is NOT tessellans.


Theo

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Sorry for the sternite 1 - if it is so tiny, we have to turn the flies upside down... However, Theo doubts L. tesselans, so I add another magnification of the female head. Perhaps the bristles on its back might be seen and be helpful to an expert. If not, then let it be Linnaemyia spec., you did a great work already. Many thanks!

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What is the result of your check, Theo?

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I´d wote for picta. Quite frequent early summer this year.

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Me too. Pale humerus, bristles below the eyes, mouth strongly pulled forward and narrow dark frons suggest picta I think. Only seen one here so far this year - season is a few weeks later than last year.

Steve

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Many thanks to both of you! The reddish tibiae fit well, too. What about the magnifications of the head shots - do the bristles give no hints? As L. picta is still missing in the gallery, I'd like to supply some pictures. Should I better add a "cf." to be on the safe side without a caught specimen?