Diptera.info

Posted by nick smith on 28-06-2010 11:48

Another visitor to the Euonymus flowers in my garden. SE UK 26/06/10. I've plumped for Calliphoridae because that's the nearest I can find looking at the gallery photos, but can't really find anything this bronze? colour.
Also - could someone point me in the direction of a good 'first level' identification guide, what makes a muscid a muscuid and not a Anthomyiidae (or something else, many of which appear to look very similar to me). I realise many can't be differentiated without microscopic examination but people on here are doing it from submitted photos, so what distinguishing features do you look for? I don't expect anyone to 'teach me fly identifiaction' in 5 minutes on-line but a few hints would be marvellous, thanks.

Posted by Susan R Walter on 28-06-2010 12:27

Lucilia sp, but too old and worn, and I can't get enough detail from the photo to give you a species.

I think you might find the Key to the families of British Diptera by D.M.Unwin (Field Studies Centre) useful, but I believe it is out of print. Try your nearest FSC library and ask if you can photocopy relevant bits.

Posted by nick smith on 28-06-2010 13:29

Susan R Walter wrote:
Lucilia sp, but too old and worn, and I can't get enough detail from the photo to give you a species.

Would a higher res photo make any difference? I don't have many different angles of view but the quality was cut down for this submission. If so, I could send one (what would you be looking for on it just out of interest?)
Nick

EDIT Paul Beuk: quote tags restored.

Edited by Paul Beuk on 28-06-2010 15:40