---

I am wondering if this is Haematopota grandis.

From central lowland France (la Brenne), 1 September 2008, taken from the windowsill of the Maison du Nature.

---

The whole beast.

---

Close up of antennae.

---

Close of antennae of one I think is H. pluvialis, from same place and time, for comparison. Sorry the image is rather poor, as is the specimen.

---

It is indeed either italica or grandis.
The locality and time in the year favour grandis.

To be sure, I need to see the abdomen.


Theo

---

Thanks very much for your comment Theo.

Unfortunately, I think making the abdomen visible will involve ripping the wings off, which I am reluctant to do. I will see if I have any other specimens, otherwise wait till I collect another one. The Maison du Nature's windowsills are a convenient and productive hunting ground ;)

---

Why ?

PUt it in a box with wet papers for 8 hours, and you can gently move the wings.
We really need to see the abdomen.


Theo

---

Theo if you think it will work I will do it on the weekend, but it is fairly crispy and brittle (remember it was found on a windowsill). I didn't think relaxing it would work.

---

It will work
Just try gently, if there is too much resistance put it back 1-2 hours. Don't overdo it in time, else the fly will turn completely black.

And there is no need to get the traditional 'butterfly-position', just moving the wings in V-shape suffice.

You might try it with a pluvialis first.

Good luck


Theo

---

Abdomen revealed. I think the spots on T3 speak for grandis, don't they? No spots on T2, but perhaps very faint and the fly has darkened.

---

I agree. Grandis.
Congratulations.


Theo

---

Thank you Theo. Congratulations because I ID'd it, or because it isn't pluvialis, or because grandis is rare? I'm assuming the first two, and grandis is localised rather than exactly rare – am I right?