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Almost the last of my Corsican Tachinids (unless i missed some I assumed were the same...). Just these 2 not very good shots, and I'm guessing this will be a challenge to get close with. But here's the challenge...

29.5.2010 c6mm length, c600m altitude, Corsica.

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A rather similar view

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I think this is Stevenia - or at least definitely from the family Rhinophoridae. Note the long petiole on the median vein and the smallish, rounded head ... both features could be on a tachinid but together they suggest a rhinophorid :)

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OK, many thanks for the correction. I really must pay more attention to details like wing veins and not rely on the general "look" so much, but this is a new family to me and does seem very Tachinid like and I read is considered close phylogenetically (by some...).

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Yes, they are very close to tachinids but I think all are woodlouse parasitoids ... well, the UK ones are anyway. The Tachinidae is generally accepted as being a polyphyletic group (I think) so it all gets very confusing ;)

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OK, many thanks. Slightly less confused than I was of Wilts..

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Yes, this is a specimen (female) of Stevenia. The long petiole combined with the row of rather strong bristles low on the parafacial is conclusive. Nice find as no Stevenia has so far been collected on Corsica. [Note on tachinid polyphyly: There is little doubt that this family is monophyletic, but we are still at a loss with regard to the most probable sister group.]

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Welcome to the forum Thomas - great to have such an expert on-board! Thanks for sorting out the mono/polyphyly thing - it was a rumour I heard a little while ago :)

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Many thanks Thomas. I'm pleased to hear this genus is a new one for Corsica. For the record, the photo was taken near the village of Albitreccia, a few kms off the N196 between Ajaccio and Propriano on a flower covered road verge. Approx 41.52 N 8.52E