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Hello,

I'm trying to do some progress and I think this is a Tachinid. But What should I look at?

Thanks in advance for any clue.

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Eriothrix rufomaculata

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Chris,

Thanks for the answer. Super fast!!

Thanks again.

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.. and maybe super-wrong too ... when did you see this fly? Could actually be Mintho rufiventris.

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Hello,

Yesterday in Paris.

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OK, yes - Mintho rufiventris then

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Chris,

Thanks anyway.

But could you comment a little?

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Hi Pierre, the two choices were Eriothrix rufomaculata, which has just started flying here... and Mintho rufivetris, which has been around for a month already. Both species are black with red patches on the abdomen, some grey dusting, some wing shading and a large costal spine. Mintho is distinctive when seen in real-life because the abdomen is laterally compressed - it is taller than it is wide - but that isn't always obvious from photos. Eriothrix has a strongly protruding mouth edge but, again it depends on the angle of the photo However, Mintho has quite a characteristic pattern of stripes on the thorax caused by the dusting (2 black lines, 3 grey) - different from Eriothrix (5 grey lines, 2 wide black & 2 narrow black).

So, with the pattern of lines on the thorax; the not very protruding mouth edge; and the shape, colour, dusting and bristles on the abdomen... I'd say "Mintho rufiventris"

But, after all that someone will probably say I am wrong!!

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Chris,

Thanks.