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Hi,
Though I often mistook a Sarcophagid for a Tachinid, this one, to me, had a certain Tachinid-ish expression in the face... (Don't laugh!) The abdomen is also not really chequered. However, I don't recognize a subscutellum, and the antennae are a bit small compared to the Tachinid portraits in my collection. So once more I am uncertain about the family of a flower visitor. Please help again!
Many thanks, Sundew

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I'd say trust your first instincts - facial "expressions" are very important, even in flies! :p
I think it's a tachinid too, but it's too late (past my bedtime) to say why.;)

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Yes, I'd say it's a tachinid too - a goniini perhaps but it's a species we don't have here in the UK so it will have to wait for Theo :)

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The ocellars are reclinate, a big clue, and there are erect preapical scutellars, so near Gonia it must be: Spallanzania


Theo

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Great - so I wasn't wrong with the "Tachinid-ish look"! I'm glad to beocme acquainted with Spallanzania.
Many thanks, Sundew

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I wish I could become acquainted with Spallanzania :P but I guess the world will have to warm up considerably before they reach us :D

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So about next year...? Berlin is enormously warm and sunny at the moment (around 30?C for a long period), and the flies are very fast. Photoshooting at noon is thus difficult.