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Hello!

These pictures were taken on July 11 here in Ostwestfalen/Germany at the forest edge. I think it is a Rhagionid. It was considerably smaller than R. scolopaceus and showed a remarkeable behaviour: it was nearly constantly wiping over the leave's surface with its forelegs an often dipping down its head (eating something?). Thanks for any hints!

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and 11 july is too late for Rh. scolopaceus

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In Britain, scolopaceus can be found in August, so maybe not too late. Also scolopaceus can be quite small (8mm long). However the yellow thorax suggests that this is another species.
The behaviour is quite common in Rhagio and other flies. My interpretation is that the leg sweeping is to locate patches of honeydew (the sugary solution secreted by aphids) which is eaten as an alternative to nectar.
Whether the legs locate the sugar by touch or by taste, I don't know!

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Hello, Nikita and Tony!

Thanks for your replies!



I have still found R. scolopaceus about 10 or so days ago in our garden, but all individuals were larger and did not look like this one. It was not only smaller, also more fragile.