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Interesting discussion between Xespok and Nikita. Here's one I've been struggling with. Found in my moth trap, Foulness, Essex. 18/3/07
8-9mm.
V6 does not appear to reach the margin
No hairs under scutellum
And no crossed bristles on frons
So I think it shouldn't be Anthomyiidae

BUT - if it is Muscidae the straight V4 rules out Muscinae
and the pattern of sternopleural bristles - 4 on the lateral surface and another 4 on the ventral surface - should rule out Phaoninae, Mydeinae and Coenosinae

So what is it?

2 pictrues - I have more and the specimen if anyone wants more info.

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2nd picture

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Chris, I think it is Phaonia fuscata.
I can see on your photo 3 sternpl bristle, as it has to be. Ph. fuscata has 3 post sut dc, yours - 4, but in my collection there are specimens with 3/4 post sut dc.
Nikita

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Thanks Nikita
Here's a close up of the sternopleuron
I think it shows 4 sternopleurals
Am I right?
Does that rule out Phaonia?
(despite it looking good in other respects)

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Well, Chris, I don't know...
1. In Gregor and K key Phaonia keyed both by couplet:
3 stpl on equal distance and
1 to 4 stpl.
2. In species discriptions almost nothing about stpl at all which may mean that stpl aren't so important in Phaonia ID.
3. My Ph. fuscata with 3 stpl
4. Still fly looks for me as Ph. fuscata rather common spring species.
Let's wait for somebody else comment...
Nikita

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Thanks Nikita.
I am most grateful for your help.