what is this gorgeous creature?

Gill Catton · #1 (**permalink**) 24-05-2006, 08:11 PM

Ok, so beauty might be in the eye of the beholder but I think s/he's lovely. Taken on the top of a pond in Essex on Tuesday.
Anyone have a clue?

eeyore · #2 (**permalink**) 24-05-2006, 08:32 PM

For a moment I thought this post was going to be about Boddie

not that I think hes gorgeous I hasten to add but I've heard the girlies do

I have no idea what it is, but I will ask our ops manager tommorow, as I may have mentioned before he knows everything.

Fourwings · #3 (**permalink**) 24-05-2006, 09:34 PM

Sorry Gill, never seen anything like it before but I agree its a beautiful insect, but I remember thinking that about Horse-flies when I was younger until I realised that they had a bite like a small aligator!!!!!

Gill Catton · #4 (**permalink**) 24-05-2006, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fourwings

Sorry Gill, never seen anything like it before but I agree its a beautiful insect, but I remember thinking that about Horse-flies when I was younger until I realised that they had a bite like a small aligator!!!!!

Yes I had a balloon hand three consecutive summer thanks to horsefly bites!!!

evil I tell you

This fly was quite big and really didn't look very happy on the waters surface, it was very striking with it's golgen thorax and vivid green abdomen, I think Boddie would thoroughly approve of it's 'outfit'!!

Fourwings · #5 (**permalink**) 24-05-2006, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gill Catton

I think Boddie would thoroughly approve of it's 'outfit'!!

Maybe, but it isn't wearing blue clogs

Boddie · #6 (**permalink**) 24-05-2006, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gill Catton

with it's golgen thorax and vivid green abdomen, I think Boddie would thoroughly approve of it's 'outfit'!!

I think it is a bloke and yes, he does look resplendent in his regalia.

I today got fitted for top hat and tales for the wedding at the weekend. I am one of 15 ushers. There are 15 bridesmaids too and I have yet to find out as to whom I am being paired off with. I do hope she is a lovely lady. Yes, that would be nice. A bright summers days wedding. Lovely

Alan · #7 (**permalink**) 24-05-2006, 10:00 PM

Is it possible that the green colour on the abdomen of the horse/hover/blow fly is in fact a covering of algae?

Gill Catton · #8 (**permalink**) 25-05-2006, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan

Is it possible that the green colour on the abdomen of the horse/hover/blow fly is in fact a covering of algae?

I've had a closer look at the orginal picture and I can't be certain, it was green all over the abdomen but as I said it wasn't looking very happy so maybe it is a covering of algae....

Don't think it's a horsefly it doesn't look evil enough...

Imaginos · #9 (**permalink**) 25-05-2006, 10:31 AM

Looks like it may be a soldier fly (Stratiomyidae) possibly Odontomyia. Some species have aquatic larvae.

Gill Catton · #10 (**permalink**) 25-05-2006, 10:40 AM

once again brilliant thank you Imaginos! I've googled it and found pics of something similar (and bright green too) and the larvae and I did actually find larvae like this in the pond but assumed they were tipulid larvae based on the fact the head looked similar - which is clearly a silly thing to do really!
Thanks again for your help.