Robberfly sp ID please?

[PMG]

Found yesterday on a tiny hot patch of sand in a dune slack at Newborough Warren, Anglesey.

It measured almost an inch and landed with an audible 'thump' each time it jumped, flew around and came back to same spot!

I'm thinking along the lines of Asilus crabroniformis but it doesn't seem quite hairy enough??

Pauline

[Jason Green]

No, I don't think it is the Hornet Robberfly, Pauline. To tell you the truth, I'm never too confident at ID'ing these and similarly I've spent about 15mins comparing this to any of the so-called Kite-tailed Robberflies - but can't find a good match so far.

The Hornet one is more orangey as opposed to grey, IMO and has nice dark markings on the wings. Keep looking though!

[PMG]

Thanks for thoughts Jason - I couldn't really make it fit either - just knew as soon as it landed that I'd never seen one before - whatever it is!! - I will start googling again ..........

[JRsbugs]

Look at Philonicus albiceps (female),

Diptera.info - Photo Albums: Asilidae

Janet

[PMG]

Originally Posted by JRsbugs

Look at Philonicus albiceps (female),

Diptera.info - Photo Albums: Asilidae

Janet

Thanks Janet - I've looked and gone on a trawl following links (thanks for the Diptera - I've put that in faves so I can use that again) but I can see two shapes on the side of my specs thorax that isn't on any of the pics - another species had the two 'bits' but bright orange leg segments .......... phew - need a lie down now - head spinning! Bruce Williams also has a pic in here of albiceps which I will post here if I can refind it .......



Will try this - not sure if pic is the one I want till I post ......

Ta muchly for sending me off in the right direction Janet!

Pauline

[JRsbugs]

That picture for some reason looks different!

I think it's Tolmerus atricapillus, I had a pair mating a couple of days ago.

Diptera.info - Photo Albums: Tolmerus atricapillus (female) (1)

[JRsbugs]

I should have said look at the leg colour on yours, it's entirely black. I think the 'bits' on the sides are not showing because of the angle.

I thought that Bruce's pic could be Tolmerus atricapillus, as it hasn't got all black legs. Could be wrong!

These are a difficult bunch though!

[PMG]

Originally Posted by JRsbugs

That picture for some reason looks different!

I think it's Tolmerus atricapillus, I had a pair mating a couple of days ago.

Diptera.info - Photo Albums: Tolmerus atricapillus (female) (1)

I'm not convinced of either cos of the 'two bits' on the thorax of mine!! Bruce's pic is named as P. albiceps and looks like it is but I've been looking at Pamponerus geremanicus which has the two bits but orange sections in the legs .......... oh boy and I thought fungi were difficult

Unfortunately now got to be elsewhere (should have been 'elsewhere' a couple of hours ago - oops!) will return to this subject later as its got me!!

Pauline

[Dogghound]

Just to confirm. (Give my opinion ) Janet is spot on here.

1. Pauline's is Philonicus albiceps.
2. Bruce's is Tolmerus atricapillus

Philonicus albiceps is also a species heavily associated with sand dunes. Common name Dune Robberfly. As Janet says the legs are the best way to distinguish these two species as well as the fact they look slightly different especially in the field.

[PMG]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Just to confirm. (Give my opinion ) Janet is spot on here.

1. Pauline's is Philonicus albiceps.
2. Bruce's is Tolmerus atricapillus

Philonicus albiceps is also a species heavily associated with sand dunes. Common name Dune Robberfly. As Janet says the legs are the best way to distinguish these two species as well as the fact they look slightly different especially in the field.

Aha - thanks Dogghound and Janet I will keep my eyes peeled for more of these robberflies! I like the tag Dune Robberfly - very apt for where we were It was a pugnacious thing - kept jumping and flying in a circle when I got too close - then landing again with an audible thump

Pauline