Sapromyza sexpunctata

Description

This small fly is all-orange with a shiny thorax. It usually has six black spots on the abdomen (note other Sapromyza species also have black spots). See ID guidance below.

Similar Species

Sapromyza opaca has a dull, not shiny, thorax

Identification difficulty
ID checklist (your specimen should have all of these features)
  • Ocellar bristles originate within the line from front to rear ocelli
  • 2 sternopleural bristles
  • Abdomen with 4-6 spots
  • Antennae and palps all yellow
  • Top of thorax shiny
Recording advice

Photographs must be submitted showing key features, or evidence that the record has been confirmed by a national or local expert

Habitat

Grassland

When to see it

Numbers peak in August

UK Status

Widely distributed in the south

Leicestershire & Rutland Status

10 records up to 2023. Probably under-recorded

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Species group:
insect - true fly (Diptera)
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Diptera
Family:
Lauxaniidae
Records on NatureSpot:
2
First record:
16/08/2023 (Nicholls, David)
Last record:
28/06/2024 (Nicholls, David)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.

In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.

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