---

This 'very large' (for me) species, ~25mm TL, was snapped in a coastal sandy environment by a small 'lake' (more swamp like) surrounded by a pine plantation; the precise locals being 'Reserve naturelle de l'Etang Cosseau, Aquitaine, France' on 18 (male) and 24 (female) August '14. I would have thought it relatively easy to identify, given its size, but I have since learned that there is no such thing as an easily identified asilid.

I assume all three are conspecific (male and female), but if not then they are certainly broadly sympatric.

Any assistance with an identification would be appreciated (thread '2 of 2' presents a second species).

(Ed. I have since learned all three are male, and that two species are involved, in separate subfamilies)

---

The Lower two belong to e subfamily Asilinae and both are males. Asilus crabroniformis. The one above belongs to the Lahpriinae and is also a male. It puzzles me a bit

---

My word, thank you so much for your prompt and authoritative reply. Obviously I need to take a course in 'insect 101' as I managed to confuse both sexes and species. I did manage several other pics of the upper individual - I'll attach those separately, in addition to the second of the two threads.
Kindest
Me

---

Here are two additional slightly different perspective variants of the upper of the three earlier specimens, should they be of any help in pinning the identity of the species down. I am afraid that I have a dozen lateral shots, but none from any other angle (the fly took off as I was already 'rather close' to it). Sorry about the resolution - the 200kb file-size limitation precludes me posting anything larger. Thanks.

---

Choerades ignea, male.

---

Thank you so much Jan

---

It has to be or closely related to it.