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After hours of searching for similar species, I've concluded that the species in the photo must be Estheria. I've used the keys from Tschorsnig to try to deduce which species. I think this should be Estheria picta but I am not confident. Size is 12mm.

If you think that it matches Estheria, then let me know if you need more photos...

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Please always state locality and date of photo. If I can forget about all the Iberian species, that makes life so much easier

Theo

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Berlin, DE - Suitable habitat - August (Tschorsnig lists July to September)

http://www.iucnre...cheme-ver3

species listed for Berlin (my location):
Estheria bohemani (Rondani, 1862)
Estheria petiolata (Bonsdorff, 1866)
Estheria picta (Meigen 1826)

listed for Germany but not for Berlin:
Estheria cristata (Meigen, 1826)

Maybe it is isn't Estheria if you don't recognize it.

according to Tschorsnig's keys:
Scutellum predominantly yellow = cristata
Scutellum black = bohemani

this leaves picta and petiolata.
If size of petiolata is 14mm (Tschorsnig) THEN not petiolata
IF area around m-cu and post angular is browned THEN not petiolata.

cheeks look hairy to me, no visible petiole of R5.
We are left with picta or another genus.

I can add more photos if it helps someone recognize it.
Otherwise, Tachinid sp. unidentifiable by experts. Thread closed.

I hope that you have a Wonderful Day.

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maybe a little more details will help someone recognize it?

edit: reuploaded photo because cheeks are hairy not bare and propleuron is bare not hairy.
new photo shows the hairy cheeks and bare propleuron.

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if not enough details, then perhaps terminalia will help?

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I see only acrophallus from Cerretti for petiolata and hertingi. Anyone have photos for picta, cristatus and bohemani?
page 280:
http://www.naturk...rretti.pdf

The acrophallus in my attachment sure looks like Estheria species. Anyone?

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once again, I've screwed up. The propleuron is bare. I was looking at the humeral callus.
Very sorry. I will fix this post with more accurate data after I do some more work.

I am struggling with Tachinidae...

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I've updated the examination photos.
I will attach more evidence of Estheria for reference.

first, the second costal segment has no hairs along the underside.

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r5 is interesting. By definition, a petiole is a small foot-like structure. I do not see a petiole here. No, I am not an expert but it looks like it closes at the wing edge. I cannot see how this should be described as even a small petiole. The edge just looks thickened to me.

R5 no petiole (to me). Maybe a small petiole to an expert.

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I see that Cerretti shows the calypter of litoralis and petiolata. I will show the calypter if it helps.

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Finally, I believe that this species must be Estheria picta based upon all of the evidence presented to you. Tschorsnig does not include genitalia with his keys, so I ask if anyone can recognize it as picta. All of the data leads to Estheria but I am not an expert. I am struggling with Tachinidae. I hope that I am correct with Estheria picta.

If I understand Tschorsnig correctly, then bare cheeks eliminates cristata and bohemani.
The area around m-cu and the post-angular vein are browned eliminating petiolata
This leaves picta, a first record, a new species or a misidentification.
The genitalia should help no matter what the case is.

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I have contacted a Tachinidae expert about this species because I assume that noone here can recognize it. The expert compared my photos with a specimen in a collection. The expert agrees with my opinion.

I am happy to name this as Estheria picta. If anyone finds themselves with a similar species, they now have a visual crutch to lean on.

I wish for all a Pleasant Day.