Fly for I.D.

[2dogs2000]

Not a very close picture but I am hoping the bronze thorax is a big clue to someone.

[Geoff F]

It will need a much closer photo will a lot more detail to have any hope of an ID. It could be a hoverfly but the all black species are a nightmare to separate. Possibly one of the Cheilosia species may fit but it is all wild guesswork.

A large species might be Eristalis tenax, but not really bronze colour,

[Jason Green]

Hi Tuppence,

Yes, unfortunately a little distant. I'll go for maybe a Neomyia sp., which is a Muscidae member that looks Greenbotttle-ish. I realise your is in fact quite dark, Dan (Dogghound) told me a while back that as they age the green pigment darkens and they become bronze. You may have seen bronze 'bottles about - if not, you should see them at this time of year. I saw one today even! It may also be a regular, albeit bronze, Lucilia sp.!

Take care,

Jason

[2dogs2000]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Hi Tuppence,

Yes, unfortunately a little distant. I'll go for maybe a Neomyia sp., which is a Muscidae member that looks Greenbotttle-ish. I realise your is in fact quite dark, Dan (Dogghound) told me a while back that as they age the green pigment darkens and they become bronze. You may have seen bronze 'bottles about - if not, you should see them at this time of year. I saw one today even! It may also be a regular, albeit bronze, Lucilia sp.!

Take care,

Jason

Hi Jason,
All my photos (well most of them) are distant.
What you say about green pigment darkening and becoming bronze makes sense to me as I at first thought it was another greenbottle on the flowers.
Thank you.
Tuppence