UK 'Picture-wing' fly id please? (1 Viewer)

Fozzybear

Ich bin ein Vogelbeobachter

• Jul 20, 2014

• #1

Spotted loads of these small yellow flies on a burdock this morning here in Essex but after looking in my (limited) field guides on insects I have no idea which species they might be, except that they appear to be a kind of picture wing fly, possibly some kind of marsh fly or similar. Can anyone shed any more light on the subject?

They were displaying and mating - at one point I had a female and two males attempting mating on my fingertip, which was pretty cool. :t:

 

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honeym

Well-known member

• Jul 21, 2014

• #2

It could be a burdock gall fly, Terellia tussilaginis
Martin

 

Fozzybear

Ich bin ein Vogelbeobachter

• Jul 22, 2014

• #3

A quick search suggests that looks a very good fit Martin... interesting that they could be gall-forming flies too. Thanks!

 

Ficedula

velico ergo sum

• Jul 22, 2014

• #4

honeym said:

It could be a burdock gall fly, Terellia tussilaginis
Martin

Click to expand...

i agree

 

Fozzybear

Ich bin ein Vogelbeobachter

• Jul 22, 2014

• #5

Thanks very much Ficedula. Was very nice to spend a little time watching these; as ever, I find picture wing flies really interesting (even though I know practically nothing about them!). Cheers!