Hylemya vagans

9mm - large for an anthomyiid. H. vagans has red/yellow femur and tibia (the front femur may be grey) and a very plumose arista, though with the hairs not very numerous. The lower squamae is small and narrow - largely hidden behind the upper one. Only males can generally be identified with certainty, females are generally recorded as either H. vagans/nigrimana as these cannot be separated on physical features.

Other Hylemya species.

This species has a red ID rating and unless identified by a known expert you must carry out detailed examination of the specimen and provide a satisfactory explanation of how it was identified for the record to be accepted.

Can be found sunning on tree trunks and fences.

Hylemya species are copraphageous.

Common and widespread, especially in the southern half of Britain.

Common but under-recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.