[ID, no photo] Soldierfly

[Jason Green]

Afternoon all,

I saw a female fly in the shade this morning (on Herb Robert, with Bramble, Wood Avens and a Cinquefoil sp. nearby). It was most likely a Soldierfly, with a black head and a red thorax - unfortunately I don't recall the abdomen, legs, wing venation (though the stigma were dark and filled-in) or antennae. The red thorax is the bit that stumps me - I don't recall any like this. Flight was weakish, a little fluttery - can be typical of some of these. Despite a search of the area it evaded me.

In build and proportion it is similar to one of the bigger Beris sp., and a size of around of c9-11mm. Of course, it may just be similar to Stratiomyidae - but from gist and experience it was. Any ideas, please?

Thanks for reading, and any help appreciated! I'll look in the area again, and try for a photo next time.

Take care,

Jason

[oxycera]

Could it have been a female Sargus bipunctatus?

[JRsbugs]

Psilidae, Loxocera sp. is a good possibility.

I got one last year which I think is Loxocera albiseta.

Janet