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Hi,
On 17 September I came across a small fly (about 5 mm) that moved slowly over a stinging nettle leaf, licking honey dew from willow bark aphids. A small stream was nearby.
My first thought was Hymenoptera because of the long antennae, but then I saw the pink haltere knobs...
I have no idea where to put this animal. Though I tried very hard to get a clear view of the wing venation, it was impossible (late in the evening, strong reflections by the flash). But if it was a sciarid, the typical fork of wing vein M should be a bit visible, and the fly would be very colourful for a sciarid. What looked strange to me was the combination of characters
- long, bristly antennae with swollen pedicel,
- some short spines on the lower side of femur 1,
- dark, thickened tibia tips (rather tufts of hair than spurs),
- long curved claws,
- legs without long spines (so no fungus gnats).
Who knows such a fly? Help is urgently needed. The location is southwestern Germany west of Stuttgart.
Looking forward to replies, thanks in advance,
Sundew

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More pics.

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Some details. Upper right: spines on femur 1. Middle: antenna base with swollen pedicel. Lower right: hind leg with peculiar tip of tibia.
No better pics, sorry.