Kew Flies for ID please

Tiggrx · #1 (**permalink**) 27-07-2009, 08:16 PM

Both of these were seen sunbathing on wooden rails on the treetop walk at Kew Gardens.

This one I thought was a Sarcophaga, but having looked at the picture am not too sure. It was of a similar size to the normal Sarcophaga that I see in my garden

This one I guess is some sort of robber-fly. There were quite large numbers of them and they were very approachable. Roughly about 3cm long.

Thanks
Aaron

Dogghound · #2 (**permalink**) 27-07-2009, 08:20 PM

2 Is Tolmerus atricapillus

Tiggrx · #3 (**permalink**) 27-07-2009, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogghound

2 Is Tolmerus atricapillus

Thanks - some of the pictures on Google Images even look like the same individual

Jason Green · #4 (**permalink**) 27-07-2009, 08:26 PM

Hi Tigs,

#1: Is definately a Sarcophaga. It's difficult without a dorsal shot, but the abdominal markings (Black, upward-pointing triangles on gray) make me think it's a so-called Satellite Fly from that family - these are cleptoparasites, which is definined as 'Parasitism by theft'.