Fly ID

[LucyCowlin]

Hi,

I've just found this forum whilst trying to identify a fly - people seem to be pretty knowledgeable here so I'm hoping someone can help.

Here are four images, all the same species, they seem to be living on the plant Carpet Bugle.



Thanks in advance to anyone who can help,

Lucy

[JRsbugs]

Hi Lucy, welcome to WAB.

It's a Sawfly, which is not a fly. This is in the family Tenthredinidae and looks like Athalia circularis but I can't be certain.

Janet

[LucyCowlin]

Thanks for your help with this... very quick response!

I have googled images for the species you mention & yes it does look the same.

I have chosen to do a project on this for a course, I am relating it to it living on Carpet Bugle (Ajuga sp), I see from your website that you find this insect on there too... must definitely be a good habitat for it.

I'm finding garden bugs quite addictive!

Lucy

[JRsbugs]

Lol, I saw a search for it in my logs last night. Yes mine do hang around on Ajuga, some have a dark 'blob' on the side of the thorax, others not so it could be a sex difference or to do with maturity.

There is a very similar looking one which is in a differeny family, Argidae, Arge ochropus which doesn't have that dark area but the antennae in Argidae are different, more club shaped.

Definitely addictive, and like any addiction you won't want to shake it.