DESCRIPTION: Approximately 10 - 13mm. A long legged tachnid fly that has large gingery eyes, a thorax that is yellow-buff with scattered bristles and an abdomen of the same colour with darker bands. The abdomen also has several rows of bristles. The front of the face has a black stripe that widens slide and has a toothed edge - it can appear as an open zipper. BEHAVIOUR: The larvae of this fly are parasitic on the larvae of the Common Cockchafer and other beetles. DISTRIBUTION: Frequent throughout southern Britain. HABITAT: Wooded areas with low vegetation and stands of Bracken. PERIOD: July to September. |
