Colourful fly for id pls.

[Bruce Williams]

Stony Stratford Nature Reserve, Bucks. On weathered fence close to open grassland and large pond.

Initially I thought this was another Coremacera marginata (identified by oxycera in an earlier posting). However as soon as I got to view it up close on the monitor it was clear that it was actually a different species. I gonna guess that it's a sciomyzid of some type (just because superficially it looks so similar).

I have also included an image showing both flies for interest and comparison. Help with identification appreciated.



Bruce

[Walwyn]

I'd put it down as a sciomyzid too.

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks Walwyn.

...btw I've just had a look through your photo Gallery - I see you've posted a lot of interesting stuff - very much the type of thing that I find fascinating myself.

Bruce

[oxycera]

It's a species of Sepedon - need to get out my box of tricks to decide which one (not seen either for awhile).

[oxycera]

Looks like Sepedon spinipes, unles I've made some barmy mistake (has happened).

[mrs fish]

A Snail Killing Fly , how do they kill them ?

[oxycera]

I knew I had a nagging doubt - try googling Elgiva cucularia, that's more like it I think.

[oxycera]

Sorry Mrs Fish, just had to get that one in. The larvae do the killing, but I'm no biologist, but I'm sure they'll be lots of info on the web.

[Bruce Williams]

Yes done m' Googling and I'm pretty sure that's the one - thanks John .

Bruce