My back garden, Swindon, Wiltshire, U.K.
Family : Bombyliidae
Sub-Family : Bombyliinae
Species : Bombylius discolor
Although it resembles the common Bombylius major this scarce species is highly distinctive, with brown spots on the wings and black hairs on the underside of the abdomen. The species declined following the crash in populations of solitary bees during the 1960's and 1970's as a result of the widespread intensification of agriculture, which reduced the number of suitable nest sites and the availability of suitable flowers for host bees. Bombylius discolor relies on bees as its larvae are parasites of solitary bees and the species can only continue where there are good host populations. Body size is about 10mm long but you can nearly double that if you take into account its long proboscis.
Widely distributed across Europe but restricted to certain localities in southern England. Quite what it was doing in my garden I don't know.
All my insect pics are single shot and handheld, usually in the wild.
Tags: fly flies Bombyliidae insects insect macro nature Dotted Bee-fly Bombylius discolor diptera wildlife Wiltshire U.K. outdoor animal Bombyliinae live insects
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Swellshill Bank, Rodborough, Gloucestershire, U.K.
Order : Diptera
Family : Sciomyzidae
Species : Coremacera marginata
The larvae of this fly are terrestrial snail predators and can kill up to 2-3 snails each during their short lifetime. Usually found in areas of long grass and in marshy ground.
Tags: National Geographic Wildlife flies insects macro nature diptera marsh fly Coremacera marginata Sciomyzidae wildlife Gloucestershire U.K. specinsect outdoor animal insect Rodborough live insects
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Lower Moor Farm NR, Wiltshire, U.K.
Order : Diptera
Family : Syrphidae
Species : Episyrphus balteatus
Tags: National Geographic Wildlife diptera hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus insects Syrphidae macro nature Marmalade Hoverfly wildlife Wiltshire U.K. Lower Moor Farm outdoor insect animal
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Stratton Wood, Swindon, U.K.
Order : Diptera
Family : Tachinidae
Species : Eriothrix rufomaculata
Tags: flies insects macro nature diptera Tachinid fly Eriothrix rufomaculata Tachinidae wildlife Wiltshire U.K. specinsect animal insect outdoor Stratton Wood live insects Swindon
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Lower Moor Farm NR, Wiltshire, U.K.
Order : Diptera
Family : Syrphidae
Subfamily : Eristalinae
Species : Eristalis tenax
Tags: National Geographic Wildlife Syrphidae Eristalis tenax diptera insects macro nature Drone Fly wildlife Wiltshire UK Lower Moor Farm animal insect outdoor fly flies
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