Large fly with orange body for ID (no photo, sorry!)

Gaina · #1 (**permalink**) 04-10-2009, 05:52 PM

I don't know if we are just in a 'Bermuda Triangle' for wierd insects down here but my Dad's seen another one that evaded his camera. Here's the description:

1.5x the size of a blue bottle. Same body shape and wing position.

Body was fat and smooth with 'orange peel' colour. No stripes or other markings, just solid orange.

No visible sting or point to the rear end, more rounded.

I know it's not much to go on, but I thank you for your help in advance

.

loripo · #2 (**permalink**) 04-10-2009, 06:17 PM

Anything like this one?
Phaonia pallida - Wildlife Photography

If you google on the scientific name (images) there is at least one that shows its orange abdomen.

Gaina · #3 (**permalink**) 04-10-2009, 06:42 PM

Hello Loripo

I've checked with Dad and he says that one is too small and the body was perfectly smooth. Thanks for the link though!

ChrisR · #4 (**permalink**) 04-10-2009, 06:45 PM

Maybe Rhingia campestris? Diptera.info - Photo Albums: Rhingia campestris (female) (2)

JRsbugs · #5 (**permalink**) 04-10-2009, 07:32 PM

Sounds a bit like Tachina fera to me, I have had it around on the Ivy lately. It does have some great black hairs on the abdomen though!

It also has a black mark down the back, that may have evaded his memory too!
Janet

ChrisR · #6 (**permalink**) 04-10-2009, 08:33 PM

I have to admit that T.fera was my first thought - they are quite common at the moment in my garden too. But they are very dark brown in the thorax and have that brown central stripe on the abdomen and lots of thick bristles, which doesn't sound very smooth. But I think until we have a photo this one is going to be a mystery