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This resembles rufiventris quite well, but has exnsive dark base to scutellum, more yellow shading in wings and infuscated cross-vein, 2 prs pre-sutural acrostichals, 3 posterior bristles on mid-tibia, which adds up to P. bitincta but that would be a great rarity in Britain I think. Any other options?

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#2

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#3

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#middle tibia

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If the arista is short-haired, P. subventa.

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Hi, Stephen, thanks for your reply

Unfortunately the antennae are missing on this specimen; apart from that it would be OK except that there are 3 not 2 posterior bristles on the middle tibia, which is a main distinguishing feature of bitincta in Fonseca.

I have two similar females which have short-haired arista and 2 tibial bristles which I intend to post up if I can't nail them any other way; they are very distinctive with orange abdomen but with grey dust bands on the apical margins of tergite 3. Do they ring a bell at all?

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Sometimes, even if rare, P. subventa has 3 p. setae on t2. I see that the 2 presutural black stripes are rather broad, what that would support Stephen's opinion.

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Thanks for this interesting conclusion, Stephen and Stephane. Another little gem to add to my new collection of priceless tips for identification in the future....
Best wishes
Phil Porter

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Here is another example: http://www.dipter...d_id=34575.

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Thanks Stephen, I see that this fly also has 3 posterior bristles on mid-tibia, so the character seems quite unreliable.
Regards
Phil Porter

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Yes, it seems you need the longer-haired arista as well to identify bitincta.