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Help with identifications, field craft and other topics relating to Diptera
Nephrotoma for ID
Episyrphus balteatus with red abdominal markings
Assuming this to be Episyrphus balteatus, I'm intrigued by the pair of red lines on its abdomen. This is the first instance of this that I've seen. Does anyone else have knowledge of this?
(Worthing's Heene Cemetery, 14th June 2022.)
Cranefly for ID
Keying from Alan Stubb's British Craneflies I get this to a choice of Phylidorea ferruginea or P. longicornis. Seems to have a mix of the supposedly differentiating characters. Vein Rs is short like the plate for P. ferruginea and wing quite long. Also top of head grey dusted. But femora with strong black apical ring and suggestion of infuscation around base of Rs and crossveins, more like P. longicornis. Beds marsh.
Long-legged fly (not a dolichopid) for id please
Can anyone please identify this long-legged fly? Has me stumped! 5mm long, caught in native woodland by river in northern Devon on 14 May.
Phaonia ??
Muscid for ID
Is this Hydrotaea diabolus please? Beds alder woodland.
Melanostoma and Scaeva ?
Hi I just want to know if I'm in the right ballpark for both before recording, both in a garden today next to a relatively unmanaged field and near Therfield Heath Herts.
I want to say Melanostoma scalere as there does seem to be a greyish frons but its a first for me and the Scaeva just seems too small and early though judging by the wing condition it may have overwintered.
Ps ok Scaeva could just be a dark Eupodes luniger with very yellow face but woud still like confirmation.