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Its a stab in the dark but I can't see any Irish diptera with this body shape other then Asilidae. Would I be thinking correctly? Seen in Cork, Ireland. There are only 3 irish species, at least one of which doesn't occur in county Cork.

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...

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Dioctria hyalipennis (male), I think.
Greetings,
Henrik

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That one is not known for Ireland. Records exist only for
Philonicus albiceps
Neoitamus cyanurus
Machimus cowini (extremely rare)

Could it be one of those Henrik?

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I find it hard to believe there are only three species of Asilidae in Ireland.

Dioctria hyalipennis is a widespread and adaptable species. It is common in North America, having been introduced from Europe.

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Well it is an under recorded group here in Ireland no doubt but if its common in Europe it seems rather unlikely that it would go unnoticed here. Or am I wrong?

The list of Asiloidea in Ireland. Bee, stiletto and robber flies. As per http://www.dipteristsforum.org.uk/
It should be noted that Ireland generally has a low biodiversity compared to most of Europe.

Bombylius canescens
Bombylius major
Villa modesta
Phthiria pulicaria
Acrosathe annulata
Dialineura anilis
Thereva bipunctata
Thereva nobilitata
Scenopinus fenestralis
Scenopinus niger
Machimus cowini
Neoitamus cyanurus
Philonicus albiceps

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I can only say that this is Dioctria for sure.

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Thanks Piros. I will see if I can contact someone here in Ireland and send them the info, a new species for Ireland is worth noting after all.

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Hi, a very interesting record, I see you have posted on the Dipterists Forum website, also you could mention it on the following Recording Scheme
http://www.brc.ac.uk/soldierflies-and-allies/
regards,
Steve

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This is Dioctria hyalipennis/baumhaueri

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Sitting where it does, it's interesting to compare the Irish list of asilids to the one for the much smaller Isle of Man. We have :

Philonicus albiceps (very common in the dune systems)
Machimus cowini (much scarcer but widespread across north of IOM)
Pamponerus germanicus (rare, 3-4 sightings in 30+ years)

I'll have to watch out Dioctria from now on.

Steve

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@Steve You don't have Dysmachus trigonus there in the dunes? Could look for that too : )

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Reinoud,

Yes it has crossed my mind that Dysmachus should be in the IOM dunes but none have turned up so far and it looks as though this species hasn't made it to Ireland either. Has anyone looked at the migratory abilities of asilids?

ATB

Steve

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I haven't found that yet. It seems that the continental Western European species do not seem to like travelling. England used to be connected to the continent yet it lacks quite some species when compared to the Netherlands and Belgium (and a lot when compared to France), like Antipalus varipes, Dysmachus (Didysmachus) picipes, Paritamus (Neomochtherus)geniculatus, Neoitamus socius, and then some. But that common species like Machimus (Tolmerus) atricapillus and Dysmachus trigonus (present in England) couldn't make it IOM or Ireland makes one wonder....But as John Carr mentioned that D. hyalipennis has been introduced into North America why not in Ireland. Was it introduced on purpose?

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There is no reason to introduce such a generalist predator intentionally. I am sure it was accidentally introduced.

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A number of insects seem to have arrived on Man in recent years either by hitching a lift or under their own power. Examples include Osmia rufa, Dolichovespula media and Harmonia axyridis. Sadly from my point of view, no new asilids!