Posted by ChrisR on 31-08-2007 21:00
#1
Just back to civilisation after 2 wonderful days collecting flies in the Russian 'wilderness' and staying at Nikita's summer house, enjoying his very great hospitality!.
Nothing is formally identified yet but despite windy and sometimes wet weather we saw very many phasiines - mainly Ectophasia sp., obesa, pusilla/barbifrons, Gymnosoma sp., Cylindromyia sp. etc - better names to follow
Exorista were fairly common too plus the usual 'small black jobs' which will take a bit of keying when I get home The countryside definitely had an 'end of season' feel to it but Solidago and Aster were still attracting plenty of flies and after seeing Nikita's success with the sweep net I decided 'when in Russia do as the Russian do' and joined in - with great success - helping to fill in the collecting time in the cloudy/wet moments.
Sorry if my posts are a bit 'pro-tachinid' but I can't help it - maybe Nikita can add some bits on his best Diptera moments?
I will post some photos here in a few hours/days... depending on when my girlfriend wants her computer back 
Edited by ChrisR on 28-10-2007 23:23