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Could any help me with a id please, Taken in Jersey C.I on sand dunes

Thanks

Simon Robson

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Ectophasia crassipennis (Tachinidae) (female) :) Very distinctive.

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Thanks Chris, the Complete British Insects by Chinery is certainly not good enough is it.:(

Looks like I will be asking for book tokens again.;)

Thanks for your help not many people in Jersey to ask so thanks again.

Best wishes,

Simon

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First of all is impossible to put all insects in one book and yes indeed there are just 5-6 or tachinids. But i don't think his is a reason that a book is not good.

OT
For the people who have he book just a question. Can somebody take a look at Rhagio scolopaceus (page 304) and to tell me, is that correct? For me that is looking more like R.tringarius.

thanks in advance,
cosmln

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I have the book. And I nvever trust in book for flies. :P For moths is a good book. ;)

Of course, IT IS REALLY A Rhagio tringarius! No doubts!

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Typical its hard enough to start out trying to id fly?s without the books being wrong,:o Good job there?s this site to ask all my novice questions.

It?s just annoying to ask you all to id just about every fly I photograph as it?s all new to me.

So thanks for every one?s time and patience.:D

Best wishes,

Simon

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The thing to remember about Chinnery is that it is a good book that will show you a small selection of flies that (perhaps) typify their group or they are distinctive and easy to spot in the field. But (really!) don't use it to "identify" anything like flies or wasps seriously - it just isn't good enough and it often doesn't give you any idea how many alternatives there are. It's a nice introductory book but if the task was as easy as just remembering the flies in Chinnery then there would be a lot more 'experts' out there ;)

We were discussing a similar issue at a meeting recently at the British Museum - "How to get more people identifying/studying things seriously?" It really is a big problem because it takes a lot of dedication, books/equipment, time and mentoring before most people can tackle a group like the tachinids seriously. But we all believe that it is possible and it's worth trying to get more information and help out to people, like yourself, who are keen to try. :D

Forums like this help a lot and you will find lots of people who can get you started on any group and help you with IDs etc. :)