Flower fly - Diptera, Anthomyiidae

[Samurai303]

I took this photo in my "garden*" this evening. Not sure what it is though. Anyone with any ideas?



TIA,

Chris

* I call it a garden as it is attached to the back of my house. Wilderness would probably be more accurate. Quite good for insects though

[Laurence Clemons]

It is a female flower fly (Diptera, Anthomyiidae) possibly a Delia species.

[jezlee]

Originally Posted by Laurence Clemons

It is a female flower fly (Diptera, Anthomyiidae) possibly a Delia species.

Don't the Americans call our Hover Flies Flower Flies (that looks odd, but sounds okay!) ...

[Laurence Clemons]

Flower flies is a literal translation of Anthomyiidae. It is somewhat of a misnomer as anthomyiids are not the most obvious flower visitors. The larvae of many species are leaf-miners but several of the more common species develop in rotting vegetation including dung. However as the family was named after the type genus Anthomyia, which presumably was thought to be associated with flower by the taxonomist Meigen, we are stuck with it. If the Americans call Syrphidae flower flies all the more reason for using the scientific term. In that way any ambiguities are avoided.

[jezlee]

Originally Posted by Laurence Clemons

Flower flies is a literal translation of Anthomyiidae. It is somewhat of a misnomer as anthomyiids are not the most obvious flower visitors. The larvae of many species are leaf-miners but several of the more common species develop in rotting vegetation including dung. However as the family was named after the type genus Anthomyia, which presumably was thought to be associated with flower by the taxonomist Meigen, we are stuck with it. If the Americans call Syrphidae flower flies all the more reason for using the scientific term. In that way any ambiguities are avoided.

Thanks, Laurence, for that little explanation – and yes, I can see the case for using scientific terms rather than common names ...

[Samurai303]

Originally Posted by Laurence Clemons

It is a female flower fly (Diptera, Anthomyiidae) possibly a Delia species.

Thank you for the ID.

Chris

[Laurence Clemons]

Delia radicum is a widespread and often common anthomyiid and has a conspicuous tuft of bristles at the base of the hind femora. It is one of the earlier species to emerge and can often be found in numbers in April. In the field it is a relatively large, blackish species.