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I'm pretty sure this is a tachninid but am unsure what species it could be. Photographed on the 20th May last year at Hod Hill, habitat was chalk downland, but it was found in a ditch amongst a colony of marsh fritillarys. Approx. 10mm.

Thanks

Richard

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Looks like a Phryxe sp. but the photos is a bit small to tell. Needs a lot more magnification really :)

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Thanks Chris, i can try and enlarge the image, i was just a bit unsure what the site could deal with. I'll upload a bigger one tomorrow. Which features would be useful for identification?

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I usually stick to 500x500px or 640x480px and under 200KB in size.

I'd always prefer to see a good dorsal shot (liek you have but bigger) and a good lateral shot. Tachinid keys rely on being able to see: the position of bristles on the thorax & abdomen; wing venation; leg bristles; hairs on the eye & arista; and bristles & hairs on the head/face. :)

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You could have tried the FAQ: http://www.dipter...p?cat_id=2. ;)

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Hi, i've made this larger image, i'm unsure if it shows any additional features for identification?

Thanks

Richard

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Sorry, here it is!

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Third time lucky?

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I'm afraid we really can't tell from this picture.
It's not Phryxe, however. (eyes too close)

Theo

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Yeah, it rings a bell ... but there's still not enough detail on the photo :(

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It could be Carcelia, Phebellia, Nilea, ....
so I'm not gonna guess. It is rather stout, though.

Theo

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Hmm, well observed Theo ... Carcelia was probably what I was reminded of. :)