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What species is this tachinid? The photo was taken in East Bohemia, CZ, 26 of March, 2010,
deciduous forest edge. As for my opinion it is "something" among Phryxe, Phorocera, Ernestia
Campylochaeta (or even Pales and Bothria). Thank you for correct identification! Petr Michael

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I can't really think what what is *is* but I am pretty sure that it isn't Phryxe, Phorocera, Ernestia,
Campylochaeta or Pales.

The time of year, shaded rm vein and densely hairy eyes would suggest Ernestia - but the mouth edge isn't protruding so I am not sure.

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Can't be Ernestia with these antennae

Might be Bothria subalpina, rather rare species so long shot'


Theo

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Hmm, the Bothria subalpina I have here have quite pale tibiae and the photo does seem to suggest this so it's possible... :)

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Smidtia conspersa?

B. subalpina is probably the most common spring tachinid here in the subalpine Finland... I wouldn't rule out this species either. I think only the subalpina females have fairly pale tibiae.

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I wondered about Smidtia conspersa but mine here don't have a shaded r-m vein so I discounted it ...

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I can't really tell without seeing the face better... Somehow I remember seeing shaded r-m among S. conspersa. :(

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I know what you mean - when I first saw it I thought "Smidtia conspersa" but then when I checked my specimens I began to wonder. Trixa conspersa has a shaded r-m of course but it has tiny antennae, much smaller than this one. Strange ... but a good example of why tachinids should be collected :D

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Thanks Chris, thanks Jaakko,
I enclose two photos more.
Petr Michael

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I have forgotten the second photo PM

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Does Chris agree that the bristles on the facials do not go all the way up? Not Bothria at least...

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The facial ridges don't look bristly to me, I agree - some small bristles near the vibrissa but not enough higher up :)

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This one should be very obvious, and yet....

Smidtia might be a idea, which has DC 3+3 . Can we tell ?


Theo