some sort of fly for id

[leifus]

hoverfly....horsefly....flyfly?!?!?!

[pammosley]

Hi, just looked in my Collins guide! The nearest I can find is Tachina fera, no common name given. Looks a good match. Someone else may comfirm it, or not.
Great photo
Pam

[Pudding4brains]

You really cannot do these from comparing pictures - there are quite a few lookalikes and the crux is in obscure details. The more 'visible' details often quoted in books (shape of the black stripe etc.) many specialist consider unreliable. Personally I don't do Diptera and I have no idea if this is even genus Tachnida, I just know it's not as easy as "looks good"

Having said that, according to Fauna Europae at least one other likely candidate (T. magnicornis) seems not to be listed for Brittain - so maybe that makes it easier, but you should best wait for someone knowledgable about these.

Sorry, Arp

[Dogghound]

It is a tachnid and it is Tachina fera. Well done Pam.

[pammosley]

Thanks Doghound!!! I am just learning to identify insects & only have a few books to work with. Everyone has to start somewhere!!!!!
Pam

[Dogghound]

They do. These sort of books show families and some of the more common members of each family. As you say its how most people start.

[Pudding4brains]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

They do. These sort of books show families and some of the more common members of each family. As you say its how most people start.

Certainly, and there's nothing wrong with that, as long as you keep in mind the book only shows a fraction of the species around, so if you find a "match" it might be the one, but it might also be one of ten others not depicted.

I was just being cautious because Tachina fera seems to be near impossible to ID from photo on the continent. Only realized just after pressing "Save" that you guys have it easier

So, cheers on the ID!
Arp

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by Pudding4brains

I was just being cautious because Tachina fera seems to be near impossible to ID from photo on the continent. Only realized just after pressing "Save" that you guys have it easier

So, cheers on the ID!
Arp

Yes indeed, we have afew similar species here but not identicle. As far as i know. T. lurida is one of the closest looking species but is individual enough to differenciate the two. I agree T. magnicornis is another that looks very much like it and is one that im sure will soon be found in England which will make ID a little harder, although its got quite specific habitat requirements.