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Lindisfarne, UK. July. It had just been on marsh helleborine in the sand dunes.

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Nemotelus, Stratiomyidae

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Thanks for that. I will try to find out if Nemotelus has been found pollinating orchids before, seems likely that it has but will see if there are any references to it.

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I think those very obvious pale triangles across the face make it N uliginosus , but the face doesn't seem quite projecting enough - may be the angle of the shot.

Quite an interesting record if it is this species. I have just sent in my records to my County Recorder and he told me that they are usually found on Scentless Mayweed (which is where my specimen was).

I'll double check Stubbs when I get home unless someone gives you a definitive answer re species in the meantime.

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I don't remember any scentless mayweed in the dune slacks (i have some photos of the habitat in general), just plenty of orchids and the nasty NZ piri piri bur. its quite a pleasant plant in NZ where it grows as odd plants but here it just takes over and grabs your socks and any other bits of clothing.

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Something like that has occurred in Denmark http://www.fugleognatur.dk/forum/show_message.asp?MessageID=166958&ForumID=36

Best Regards Erik

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Thanks very much, thats amazing the same species of orchid with the fly on the flower.

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I've checked Stubbs (just as well I did!) and your fly is not N uliginosus, but the very similar N notatus. It is N notatus that has the distinctly triangular shape of the white patches on the face and a less projecting snout. N ulginosus has a more projecting snout and parallel bars on the face. You can clearly see the difference if you look at the link Erik provided, which is N uliginosus.

Sorry my memory jumbled the characters earlier.

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Miked - it would be great if you would submit your photo to the gallery.

Erik - do you think you could convince Jimmy Lassen to submit his photo too? Then we would have such good examples to compare the differences between these two very similar species.

For those interested in the insect pollinators of orchids, this is a great site: http://www.orchid...que51.html

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Susan - I will try to convince Jimmy Lassen.

Erik.

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Thanks Erik - it's the second shot we want :)

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I know Susan. The picture is sent now.

Erik.

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Super. It is very kind of you and Jimmy to help.