Trichopalpus fraternus

Description

A small greyish species. The femora are dark with yellow at the base and tip. Thorax and abdomen are densely grey-dusted. The front of the frons and sides of the face have a reddish ground colour. The palps are small and brown. It has distinct propleural and stigmatical bristles above the front coxa.

Similar Species
  • Chaetosa punctipes - similar but has pale legs
  • Spaziphora hydromyzina - larger, paler, and more elongate
Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Detailed photos required. 

Habitat

Swampy margins of water bodies, ditches and slow-flowing-rivers and streams, long damp grassland.

When to see it

April to September, peaking in June and July.

UK Status

Widespread

VC55 Status

Rarely 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:
Scathophagidae
Records on NatureSpot:
4
First record:
18/05/2023 (Higgott, Mike)
Last record:
07/10/2025 (Calow, Graham)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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