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Just back to civilisation after 2 wonderful days collecting flies in the Russian 'wilderness' and staying at Nikita's summer house, enjoying his very great hospitality!. :)

Nothing is formally identified yet but despite windy and sometimes wet weather we saw very many phasiines - mainly Ectophasia sp., obesa, pusilla/barbifrons, Gymnosoma sp., Cylindromyia sp. etc - better names to follow :) Exorista were fairly common too plus the usual 'small black jobs' which will take a bit of keying when I get home :)

The countryside definitely had an 'end of season' feel to it but Solidago and Aster were still attracting plenty of flies and after seeing Nikita's success with the sweep net I decided 'when in Russia do as the Russian do' and joined in - with great success - helping to fill in the collecting time in the cloudy/wet moments.

Sorry if my posts are a bit 'pro-tachinid' but I can't help it - maybe Nikita can add some bits on his best Diptera moments? :) I will post some photos here in a few hours/days... depending on when my girlfriend wants her computer back ;)