[ID] Bombyliidae ?

[Fauna]

Could it be possible for an id on this Bee fly (at least i think it is?) for me please.

Taken today on Heath. It was a bit groggy, so i thought i would have all the time in the world to take some shots. Wrong!! i managed this one, when i tried to get into a better position it flew off...it was roughly the same size as an honeybee, to which i thought it was on first glance.




Regards Chris...

[Dogghound]

Tachina ursina a Tachinid.

[Fauna]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Tachina ursina a Tachinid.

Lol...i've just had a big giggle at myself, no wonder i could get no where with it.

Cheers Dogg.



Regards Chris...

[Anomalous]

Originally Posted by Fauna

Wrong!! i managed this one, when i tried to get into a better position it flew off...it was roughly the same size as an honeybee, to which i thought it was on first glance.




Regards Chris...

Lots of these on local heath in late march/early april. Apparently, little is known about the species which they parasitise, so keep an eye on them and see what you can find out.

Super things...often found alongside interesting early hoverflies like Criorhina ranunculi.

Anomalous

[Matt Smith]

First Tachinid of the year, Spring is officially here....

If anyone is seeing these, do please pass on the records to me.

Thanks

Matt

[Fauna]

Originally Posted by Anomalous

Lots of these on local heath in late march/early april. Apparently, little is known about the species which they parasitise, so keep an eye on them and see what you can find out.

Super things...often found alongside interesting early hoverflies like Criorhina ranunculi.

Anomalous

Hi Anomalous welcome to WAB.

Sure will keep an eye for these again (now i know what i'm looking at), im on the Heath daily as it is only 50yrds from my front door.


Regards Chris...

[Fauna]

I came across more earlier today on a different part of the heath, more bracken. I spotted around about 7, could have been more.

I did notice the females? doing some ambushing. I had two fairly close looks at what they where catching, and they resembled some sort of small bee, possibly miner. They held on to them for a couple of seconds in flight then released them. I only wish i had the net.

Will be back over there later when i finish my work and see if i can catch more of this action etc.


Regards Chris...

[Matt Smith]

Originally Posted by Fauna

I did notice the females? doing some ambushing. I had two fairly close looks at what they where catching, and they resembled some sort of small bee, possibly miner. They held on to them for a couple of seconds in flight then released them.

Sounds more like males looking for females, if its approximately the right size and shape and flying about, its worth a quick grab at it just in case.

If you could keep making a note of any dates you see the flies, that would be great.

Matt

[Anomalous]

30+ Tachina ursina at Allerthorpe Common, today. The actual number will be far higher, as I only covered a very small area of the common.

Didn't have time to look at what they were targeting...though they kept landing on my head!! Have a bit more time at the weekend, so weather permitting, I shall have a look.

But...hoverflies will be around, and I need to find my first Melangyna quadrimaculata. Always too many things to be seeking!!



Ian

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by Anomalous

But...hoverflies will be around, and I need to find my first Melangyna quadrimaculata. Always too many things to be seeking!!

Interesting I had quite afew c.10 Melangyna quadrimaculata today on the east coast about 40 miles from you.

Not managed any Tachina ursina yet although checked the usual area's. I am also going to look for potential host species, which may be quite hard.