Learn about flies

I've got a series of 5 male and 5 female muscids from Craig Cerrig Gleisiad a Fan Frynych NNR in the Brecon Beacons. They seem to be the same species, based on several shared characters. All the males and a few of the females were hilltopping at the summit of Fan Frynych and at the nearby cairn, with the remaining females captured at the mire in the basin of Craig Cerrig.

Hello everyone,

My next fly I presume is a cranefly. Photo 1 is one specimen and photos 2 & 3 are a different specimen. Are they the same species though, I wonder? Does anyone know which species? Or family if not? Does it have short palps?

Many thanks in advance,

Vanessa

I have some flies that were recovered from a conservatory where they have died and dried out. They would be a great resource for me to practice keying out diptera.

What is the best way to store/sort desiccated specimens like this? Can they be softened enough to pin or is it better to mount them on points?

Hi, I’m a beginner, but have had an interest in entomology for 50 odd years - during which time I have seen a crane fly ‘taken’ by another fly. I have attached photos. Any idea what the predator is, please?

The location was long grass on a field edge. Limestone. 
Many thanks,

Max Elvidge

This ?Platycheirus female was photographed at Hiigh Batts  NR, Ripon a couple of days ago, It looks like a Platycheirus - can anyone confirm

Hello everyone - I'm new to the group.

Thank you for allowing me to join, John:)

I just wondered if there is a list (with photos if poss) of any UK diptera species that are protected?

Many thanks, Vanessa

Are there any easily available references for this family?

Are the black basicosta and T2, and the bristles on the rear edge of T3, sufficient to make this a male Luclila silvarum?