Unidentified predatory fly with striped abdomen

[Bruce Williams]

Stockgrove Country Park, Beds (19th Nov). On fence separating coniferous wood from meadows. Definitely a predatory species as I have a photo with prey.

Size is a smidgen over 4mm.

Help with identification appreciated as always:



Bruce

[Jason Green]

Evening Bruce,

I'm pretty sure it's Tachypeza nubila, a Hybotid fly. Quite an early species in my experience, I saw my first in February, so maybe late too.


Take care,

Jason

[JRsbugs]

Look at mine Bruce, they can be a little variable. I got my first ones on Oak, but saw one or two often on my south wall where they were probably looking for little springtails to eat.

Diptera.info - Discussion Forum: Hybotidae Tachypeza sp.

Janet

[Bruce Williams]

Jason - Thanks for providing the id, I've since done a bit of surfing and I'm pretty sure that you're right. I'm disappointed that I didn't get a lateral shot showing the mouthparts - unfortunately it was at an angle that made it near impossible unless you're an Olympic gymnast.

Janet - Thanks for the link to your pics - they show a lot of helpful detail. Am I right in thinking that my shot is of a male - I'm basing that on the close-spaced eyes.

Bruce

[Jason Green]

I've just read your first post Bruce - can you post the photo with prey?

[Bruce Williams]

Here it is Jason. I've no idea what the prey is?



Bruce

[Jason Green]

Hi Bruce,

I would think most likely a springtail given the size. I assume the bit you can see are the antennae

[JRsbugs]

Bruce, I would say it's a female. Both have close together eyes but the males go back further on the head towards the thorax. You can see the fatter abdomen and ovipositor too in your first pic.

Yes that is a poor little springtail, one of their main foods. I got another Hybotidae which had pounced on a springtail while I was taking pics of it, horrors in the garden.

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks for id'ing the prey Jason and Janet.

Janet - It's a female eh......well that's why I posted the question hoping that one of our experts will put me right .

I think maybe I've been giving too much weight to the "close together eyes" thing as a sure-fire gender diagnostic. That's why (despite the abdominal spike) I thought it might be male. I had puzzled over the abdominal spike and realised that if it was an ovipositor then of course the insect was female.

Bruce