A tachinid fly - Gonia picea
20th March 2012
In: March 2012
Another churchyard sighting this one; a tachinid fly - Gonia picea. Tachinids are parasitic flies that feed on the tissues of other invertebrates, eventually killing them.
I thought this bristly fly had a rather "mean" look about it. Apparently, most species attack the larvae of butterflies and moths. Gonia picea favours the Antler Moth (Cerapteryx graminis).
Thanks to Ophrys (iSpot) and Steven Falk (Warks Wildlife Trust) for confirming the ID and to the Tachinid Recording Scheme for further information.
I thought this bristly fly had a rather "mean" look about it. Apparently, most species attack the larvae of butterflies and moths. Gonia picea favours the Antler Moth (Cerapteryx graminis).
Thanks to Ophrys (iSpot) and Steven Falk (Warks Wildlife Trust) for confirming the ID and to the Tachinid Recording Scheme for further information.