Fly ID's

Tormentil · #1 (**permalink**) 03-08-2011, 06:40 AM

Can anyone please ID these for me?

1.

2.

3.

htcdude · #2 (**permalink**) 03-08-2011, 07:26 AM

1 and 2 are one of the Sarcophagidae (Flesh-flies)

3 is Tachina grossa

Nige

Jason Green · #3 (**permalink**) 03-08-2011, 08:45 AM

Morning Ben,

Further to Nige's ID on the first two - it's a Sarcophaga sp., with critical examination coming down to male genitalia/ventral examination (so I've been told).

Take care,

Jason

Matt Smith · #4 (**permalink**) 03-08-2011, 10:10 AM

No. 2 is a nice Tachina grossa - details for the recording scheme please?

Thanks

Matt

htcdude · #5 (**permalink**) 03-08-2011, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Smith

No. 2 is a nice Tachina grossa - details for the recording scheme please?

Thanks

Matt

You mean 3 surely?

Nige

Johnny81 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-08-2011, 11:01 AM

Tachina grossa what a strange looking fly! I'll keep an eye out for this one is it relatively common or have a habitat preference?

Tormentil · #7 (**permalink**) 03-08-2011, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Smith

No. 2 is a nice Tachina grossa - details for the recording scheme please?

Thanks

Matt

Here you are Matt:-

Date: 02/08/2011
Grid Ref: SE912036
Location: Messingham Sand Quarry
Vice County No: 54
Recorder: Ben Revell
Note: It's the only one I saw (and you certainly can't miss them!!)

Tormentil · #8 (**permalink**) 03-08-2011, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny81

Tachina grossa what a strange looking fly! I'll keep an eye out for this one is it relatively common or have a habitat preference?

This info was gleaned from the net

"Tachina grossa or giant tachinid fly is a very large tachinid fly found throughout most of Western Europe. At 15–19 millimetres (0.6–0.7 in) it is one of the largest species of fly throughout much of its range and is the largest tachinid in Europe. It is very distinctive, being hairy and with a black thorax and abdomen, and a bright yellow head.

Like most tachinid flies, the female lays her eggs on other living insect larva, the fly larvae then develop inside the living host, devouring it and eventually killing it. Its main hosts are the large hairy Lepidopteran caterpillars, particularly the Oak eggar moth Lasiocampa quercus and Macrothylacia rubi.

In the UK there is usually only one generation per year, though in southern Europe there may be two generation per summer season, though this has not yet been verified. The adult flight period is from July to August. Habitat is dry open meadows, peat land, and heaths ."