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I am at sub-novice level at this bug watching stuff, but thoroughly enjoying it... but I have a nagging question.

What are the key differences between a Beefly Major and Beefly Minor, for south coast UK. My 'spottings have been early June, in a very biodiverse 50 acres I planted up myself several years ago... and although I have narrowed the flying belly button fluff to the 'beefly'.. the time of year is smack bang in the middle f what I've been told for each of the major and minor variants.

I notice they like to hover and watch me working, and they stay very close to the hedgerow... I have 68 catalogued species of grass and wildflower in the field, so won't bother listing them all here! )

happy to answer targetted questions. much oblidged

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Here's a helpful key:
http://home.hccne...index.html
Welcome to the forum!
Regards, Sundew

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where do you get these names from, are you just translating the scientific name?

Bombylius major and B. minor.

very easily identified, B major clear-cut dark fore margin of wing, flying April-May (in uk)
http://www.dipter...to_id=1596

B. minor has dark smudge at base of wing, only clear in male, flying July-August (in uk)
http://www.dipter...342058.jpg

is your field in Wiltshire? if so then B. minor very unlikley. largely confined to heathands of Dorset and Hampshire. B. major found everywhere. B. discolor (spotted wings - see gallery) locally present, if you are lucky you can see B. canescens on chalk grassland.