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Hi there

Wondered if anyone would be able to hazard a rough guess at a hoverfly ident, sadly no pic as yet. One of our volunteers took a picture on her phone, but I have not been sent it :(

The hoverfly (I think) was huge, easily as big as a Volucella sp. I thought it may be a colour form of bombylans, but I am unable to find a match so far.

Colour was black legs, ab and thorax with a distinctive orange/yellow head. There was also yellowish smearing on the costal area of the wings, much more than a stigma spot.

The beast was spotted on Chobham Common NNR in Surrey, England on the 10/07/06. Apparently holding territory at the edge of a car park on Rubus, Urtica, Heracleum - the usual rank 'weeds' and grasses.

Could it be a Tachinid? Tachina grossa maybe? Chobham is one of the largest heathlands around this area.

Any suggestions appreciated.

Scotty, Ranger at Brentmoor and Chobham

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Hi Scotty
From your description, I'd say it's got to be Tachina grossa. It's a very good bumble bee mimic when in flight.

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Hi Tony

Thanks for your quick response and confirmation. I fell to thinking T. grossa via Chinery - but I have no other reference to find out about similar species etc. I've also heard that Tachinidae can be a tricky group, so I did'nt want to jump to conclusions.

Thanks again, I think it may be a new record for the Common as much of the Diptera has not been studied here. I have been adding a few Cecid records here and there though.

Scotty