Where to start with flies?

[valdf]

I'm a complete novice here and can't seem to find an id guide online that's basic and clear enough for my needs. Would be really grateful if someone could give me some starter tips.

What should I be looking for in these 4 photos?

Fly 1



Fly 2



Fly 3



Fly 4



Val

[Roger Morris]

Hi

There are not really any obvious on-line guides. There are several fourms and of course the website of Dipterists Forum (The Society for the study of flies (Diptera)) where some of the more active dipterists regularly log on and provide ID help. You can also do the same with the Hoverfly Recording Scheme.

Dipterists Forum run training courses on fly identification - the next will be at Preston Montford next March. Forum members get a substantial reduction on these courses so membership of the Forum is worthwhile (£6.00 per year). For that you also get a 'Starter Pack' and two bulletins per year. In addition, Forum members can buy the two books of fly identication directly from the publishers BENHS at a reduced rate (£20 as opposed to £30).

At the moment there is no general book on flies 'in print' but Flies of the British Isles by Colyer and Hammond is occasionally available second hand. There are books on British Hoverflies and Soldierflies and their Allies published by the BENHS but both are reaching the end of stocks. A new book on hoverflies Britain's Hoverflies is anticipated to be launched in late August - advanced orders can be made through me roger dot morris at dsl dot pipex dot com - I will send you a booking form. Once we have produced the hoverfly book, one project in mind is to do the same for flies in general.

Now, on to your flies - these are all members of a group of bristly families referred to as the Calypterates. I'm afraid they are beyond me - they will be members of the Muscidae, Sarcophagidae and Calliphoridae - there are keys to these groups in Swiss and Scandinavian literature. I'd be inclined to start elsewhere and work towards this group. Photo number 4 is the muscid Graphomya maculata

Regards

Roger Morris
Hoverfly Recording Scheme
Hoverfly Recording Scheme - Index

[Matt Smith]

As Roger said, most of the flies in your pictures a bristly flies. As with a lot of the bee and was species you see posted on here, only a small proportion of them can be identified to species with any certainty, a full ID frequently needs an examination of a specimen under a microcsope or a view of bits that are not normally visible (ie mail genitalia which are normally folded away when not in use).

With Tachinid flies, I find only about 20% of the 260 + UK species are destinctive enough if photograhed well to provide a record I will accept for the recording scheme. For another 10% or so one can usually get to genus from a picture but not to species. The rest are all microscope jobs.

[oxycera]

I think 4. is more likely Anthomyia procellaris/pluvialis

[JRsbugs]

You need to get several different angles of flies to stand a reasonable chance of an ID. There are quite a few which are easily recognisable and are common. You really need a good macro lens to be able to get good detail.

Generally you should aim to get a good back view showing the wing venation and bristles on the thorax, a good side view which show the head profile and side of the thorax as there's bristles which can separate one species from another in all sorts of places. A semi-frontal view is often a good one, and any angles you can get showing the leg bristles. Often a view from the tail end will show bristles at the back of the hind legs which is sometimes essential. The number of bristles and position as well as the angle of the bristles on legs, thorax, head, and sometimes on the abdomen as is often the case in Tachinidae can all lead to an ID.

As already said though, many cannot be identified without a specimen but I have had many flies identified with good photos. Live photos are the best for galleries, and often if you should wish to try to catch a fly you might be better off taking your chances with photos, some people first get photos then try to catch the fly but that is down to how you view it as a hobby or a serious obsession or if you do it as a professional as part of your job. Personally I take photos and like to know what I have. Even if you take specimens (if you can catch them!) you would need to be able to key them (and usually preserve them), that requires many different keys for all the families and these are either unobtainable or very expensive. Taking good photos,doing your research in the correct places (beware most internet sites), then asking for an ID there are specialists in most fields more than willing to help. You will soon find out who the real specialists are, occasionally some will make an attempt at ID but are not capable of doing that or think they are capable of doing that.

#1, if I could see it had a reddish face, and a black beard, as well as an orange spiracle (the breathing organism near the side of the head on the thorax, I would say it's Calliphora vicina (Calliphoridae)

#2 is also Calliphorida, Pollenia sp. (not able to go to species)

#3 is a female Anthomyiidae, possibly the common Botanophila fugax but this family is difficult and females can be almost impossible. Look at one I have put for ID on diptera.info which is a good place to learn if you spend hours checking out the galleries and forums as well as use the site search facility for old posts which can give good clues from experts.

Diptera.info - Discussion Forum: Anthomyiidae Botanophila fugax female?

#4 is Anthomyia procellaris/pluvialis in Anthomyiidae.

Use the site search on diptera.info to find out more if you are really interested. Check the search criteria for containing all those words and for the whole site.

Janet

[valdf]

Goodness, I think I'll stick to butterflies

Thank you all for the replies, and especially to Roger and Janet for such detailed help and advice. I obviously need to do a whole lot more reading and learning before I can hope to photograph and identify even some of the flies in my garden! At least I now have a better idea of where to go.

Val

[Roger Morris]

Hello Val

Don't give up. May I put in a plea for Parataxonomists - those people who provide material for others to ID - this can be a useful source of records. Just photograph the beasts and get others to have a go at putting a name to things. Occasionally a useful record will emerge.

Regards

Roger

[JRsbugs]

Originally Posted by Roger Morris

Hello Val

Don't give up. May I put in a plea for Parataxonomists - those people who provide material for others to ID - this can be a useful source of records. Just photograph the beasts and get others to have a go at putting a name to things. Occasionally a useful record will emerge.

Regards

Roger

That's how I started a few years ago, the hobby grows at it's own rate.