Not a syrphid - try Platypezidae, somewhere near Callomyia?

Thanks Tony, I suspected that might be the case!

That looks right to me, Colin.

Thanks Howard.  Keyed from your commonest 25.

Glad it's useful. Thanks for letting me know.

.... I have never seen a crane fly ‘taken’ by another fly.... - sorry

Max - can you try attaching the photos again, please?

Can you see them now, Tony ?

I also swept P. ventralis several times last week from rough grassland in lowland Lancs, though no carrion around.   Calliphora vomitoria was also out on fence posts - I see this much less frequently than vicina.

Like Ian, I'm making this comment as a test to see how it works.  I am not sure why the system has asked to add another subject heading, though?

Your predator is a member of the Asilidae, known as robber flies. They're quite a tricky family, and I'm no expert, so I'm afraid I can't go any further.

Thanks, Max. It's Dioctria rufipes - feeds almost entirely on Hymenoptera and Diptera.

Thankyou so much, Tony and Howard.

I think what fooled me is that I hadn't seen an Asilid with  resting wings in the 'out' position before (as opposed to folded over its back).

- and I have Alan and Martin's book, and now can now see it all too clearly!

I will add it to iRecord.

This is Tipula (Tipula) oleracea.  There are 13 antennal segments.  The best diagnostic features for this subgenus are the inner dististyles, which are not normally.visible. 

John K

Yes !!!

John K

The prey is Nephrotoma appendiculata.

John K

CORRECTION !!    I need to revise !!  It is T. paludosa.   I missed the tiny terminal antennal seg, and the eyes are well spaced below the head.  As a general rule T. oleracea emerge earlier, and T. paludosa begins to emerge in August.

John K

Many thanks John.

Wow, John, that was unexpected and most kind!

Thankyou all very much indeed.

Thanks John.  What a relief!  Thought I was going to have to find a way to ask you to look again.  My fault for posting rather tiny pictures.  I'm still not very competent with this new website - I miss the old one for postings.  Anyway, here is a bigger view of the antennae and a new one of the inner clasper.