---

Hello!

This only about 2 mm long fly sat on a stone near a wood's edge here in Ostwestfalen/Germany yesterday (sunny, 1-2 ?C). Is it possible to tell the family (Chloropidae?)? Thanks!

---

Hi Juergen.
Too few details visible, but if I have to make stake, I'd put on Sphaeroceridae.
1. Very long and outside directed arista is visible.
2. General impression, included colour.
3. Early time of year.
Nikita

---

You can add the relatively broad wings and short abdomen to that.

---

Agree. Compact and with short powerful legs.Like birds flies have a "jizz" and this one says Sphaeroceridae. Just emerged from nearby dung I wonder?

Robert

---

Hello, Nikita, Paul and Robert!

Thanks for your answers!



No dung there (except from hares), but lots of moist foliage on the floor at the wood's edge. I have seen several other Sphaeroceridae here during the cold season (Crumomyia?, Lotophila?), but none was that tiny and compact, so I did not take that family into account.