Rhinophora lepida

Description

This small rhinophorid fly is shiny black and has a protruding mouth-edge, giving it the occasional common name of Pouting Woodlouse Fly. It has white parafacialia, yellow halteres, and the wings have a moderately-long stalk on vein R4+5. Males have paired dust spots on tergites 3 and 4, but these are less visible in females.

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Detailed photographs showing the key characters if not identified by a recognised expert.

Habitat

Can be found in many habitats including grasslands, post-industrial sites, coastal areas and arable margins.

Life History

Adults can be found on sunlit foliage or visiting flowers such as Oxeye Daisy, Yarrow and umbellifers. 

Rhinophorid flies are parasitic on woodlice and for this species Porcellio scaber is thought to be a major host.

UK Status

Widespread and locally common.

VC55 Status

Uncommon or 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

Common names
Pouting Woodlouse-fly
Species group:
insect - true fly (Diptera)
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Diptera
Family:
Calliphoridae
Records on NatureSpot:
3
First record:
23/07/2023 (Hunt, Graham)
Last record:
30/06/2025 (Hunt, Graham)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

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