Is this a Beefly?

[earthdragon64]

Spring has finally sprung up here in the frozen north, 20c today with blue skies and wall to wall sunshine - I even got a bit sunburnt.

I had a walk from home to Craigellachie National Nature Reserve just to the south-west of Aviemore, and probably saw more insects today than in the last 4 or 5 months put together.

As well as some Small Tortoiseshell Butterflies and Orange Underwing Moths, there were plenty of Green Tiger Beetles and a few Bees. However, I can't identify the insect in the picture below, could it be a Beefly?

[Jason Green]

Evening Audrey,

I'm a little stumped here! I'll stick my neck out and say No - but it really does require a second/third glance! I've considered the Hoverfly Volucella bombylans but the wing venation says no to that - so I'll consider Calliphoridae/Muscidae instead. It looks distinctive enough - but I just can't place it!

Take care,

Jason

[JRsbugs]

Tachina ursina, I'm sure Chris Raper of the Tachinid scheme would be interested but he is on here.

Diptera.info - Photo Albums: Tachina ursina (male) (1)

NBN Gateway - interactive species mapper

Janet

[tristanba]

Nice find - I have seen a few photos of these from Scotland recently so perhaps it is more frequent up there. I've only seen it once in north Wales. The larval host(s) seem to be unknown.

[bigdave60dog]

It looks very much like it.
I had one round my newly planted seed patch in late March 2 years ago. I didn`t photograph it so could not claim it as new record for Orkney. Host/Prey species are few and far between this far North. It may have crossed the Pentland Firth by car on a ferry.

[earthdragon64]

Thanks for all the replies, I'm constantly impressed by the level of knowledge displayed here on WAB.

I'll pass a photo and details of the sighting on to my local biological recording group, they are always on the lookout for interesting or unusual insects.

Regards, Audrey.

[Matt Smith]

Originally Posted by earthdragon64

Thanks for all the replies, I'll pass a photo and details of the sighting on to my local biological recording group, they are always on the lookout for interesting or unusual insects.

Looks like Tachina ursina to me. If you can send me a PM or e-mail with the details of the sighting - date, grid ref etc, I will add the details to the Tachind Recording Scheme database and the "dot" will eventually make its way onto the NBN map.

I'll also take this opportunity to bump my "Tachinid Records Wanted" thread if I may, still lots of Tachinid pics on the Gallery that I would like details for.

Matt

Tachinid Recording Scheme
www.tachinidae.org.uk

[earthdragon64]

Originally Posted by Matt Smith

Looks like Tachina ursina to me. If you can send me a PM or e-mail with the details of the sighting - date, grid ref etc, I will add the details to the Tachind Recording Scheme database and the "dot" will eventually make its way onto the NBN map.

I'll also take this opportunity to bump my "Tachinid Records Wanted" thread if I may, still lots of Tachinid pics on the Gallery that I would like details for.

Matt

Tachinid Recording Scheme
www.tachinidae.org.uk

I just need to double check the grid reference, I'll send you the details tomorrow.