Unidentified

[carainbow]

Any ideas on this creature, appears to have beak as scorpion fliy but with conjoined antenae?

[oxycera]

It's an assassin fly - Empididae. There are a few pointers to specific identity, the thoracic pattern, antennal length etc. Any specialists actively recording these would probably have the 'jizz' on it, otherwise it would require a possibly lengthy trawl through Collin's Handbook.

[carainbow]

Thanks John
Collins deals with them at the family level, so I guess I will have to leave it there.
I have found descriptions that say that they are bristly with strongly raptorial legs, but then again the following description would suggest that the family is more variable than that.
"Empididae are small to medium sized flies, usually elongated and mostly dark colored. They have a rounded head and a distinct neck, a large and humpbacked thorax and long tapered abdomen. The legs are slender and sometimes the front legs are raptorial, for grasping other insects. The proboscis is often long and pointed."—

[oxycera]

Sorry, my fault; I was referring to J.E. Collin's 'British Flies, Vol.6 Empididae'.

[carainbow]

Entirely my fault, I jumped to the conclusion that you were referring to the field guide by Chinery, a very general guide.
Have tried looking for links on the web regarding the availability of of "British Flies" and have so far come up with nothing.
Thanks for the guidance.

[oxycera]

Pemberley Books would probably have it, although long out of print. It's very technical though, only of use to dipterists specialising in that group.

[carainbow]

You are right, Pemberley havn't a copy, when available it is beyond my scope and price, but I have found a Unwins key which should help at the family level, at least for the most obvious characteristics. My main interest is photographing and therafter naming, so will have to be content with more general captions.
Thanks for all your help