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I don't have a key to Metopia. Any hints on identifying this one. What should I look for? UK species. Found in old sand pit in Shropshire.

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Face below:

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Could do with a slightly crisper view of the face ;) but it looks like Metopia OK. From the head shape, I'd guess argyrocephala, but that's not a positive ID! They can be a tricky group, so best to get a good key and work through the material carefully.

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Hi Tony,
Can you recommend a good key to this family/genera?

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Pape in Fauna Scandinavica should do the trick.

Theo Zeegers

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Van Emden's Ent Soc Handbook (1954 - Tachinidae and Calliphoridae) covers most of the British species, but beware of name changes! As Theo says, Pape's Fauna Entomologica Scandanavica volume (1987) on Sarcophagidae is really good. If you want a copy of Steve Falk's draft key, which David mentioned, it's probably best to contact him at .
Incidentally there are six British species of Sarcophaga (sensu lato) not covered in Pape's volume, but he does include many species that could turn up in Britain, but are not in the British keys. As a rule, always check the genitalia of Sarcophaga. It's usually much quicker than going through the key anyway, especially if you've taken the trouble to hook them out when pinning the specimen. (Males only, of course!)

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Thanks Tony, I'll take the plunge hen and get Pape.

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Generally speaking, I agree with Tony that van Emden is still quite good.
However, in the case of Metopia this is not the case: several new species have been described or recognized since van Emden.
Like rondaniana, tshernovae, etc. So beware.

Theo