Woodland fly for ID help please

[Geoff F]

S. Devon. I have seen a few of these flies in 2 woods recently but can't 'put a name to the face'.



Around 8 mm in sunlit areas of woods. On wild garlic leaves or wood anemone.

Somehow, I feel that I should know this species but I just can't place it. Originally and from a distance, I thought about an early Portevinia because it was in the same place where I saw them last year. But a closer look soon proved me wrong; and the same has happened for every species which I have so far considered.

So any suggestions?

[Jason Green]

Evening Geoff,

I'd say it's an adult Calliphorid - Pollenia sp.

I'll leave it to John and his experience, to perhaps say this is as far as we can go without it!

Take care,

Jason

[oxycera]

Certainly looks like Pollenia. The brown calypters look distinctive but there's nothing about that in the key. I only have 2 specimens as this is the one genus I usually ignore!

[Geoff F]

Thanks for those suggestions.

Pollenia was also on the top of my list but I had very little confidence in my thinking!

To my thoughts, is this still a bit early for Pollenia? And my specimen looked, to my amateur eye, to be a bit on the 'short' side'.

But I know there are other Pollenia species besides the common P. rudis, although I'm not really familiar with them.

So for now, I will label these photos as Possible Pollenia. Thanks.

[JRsbugs]

No Geoff, it's not too early for Pollenia. They start any time when it's a little warmer, I have had a few around and saw a mating pair yesterday!

Take a look at some species here.

You won't get any expert giving a species name for Pollenia from a photo, they are too similar. We have eight species of Pollenia.

[Jason Green]

Originally Posted by Geoff F

To my thoughts, is this still a bit early for Pollenia? And my specimen looked, to my amateur eye, to be a bit on the 'short' side'.

I've recorded Pollenia sp. as early as January (this year), I think it was.

[Geoff F]

Right then, Pollenia sp. it is.