Muscina prolapsa

Length 7 or 8 mm, bluish grey with black stripes on the thorax. Muscina flies have a reddish tip to the scutellum and the discal vein curves upwards so that the first posterior cell narrows towards the wing apex.

M. levida can be distinguished from prolapsa by its wing venation - cell r5 is wider at the apex.

• reddish tip to the scutellum
• the discal vein turns up to narrow the first posterior cell at the apex
• the apex of the first posterior cell is especially narrow
• the base of the third antennal segment is orange
• palps are orange

Good views of the wing venation, scutellum and legs are needed.

In well wooded or well vegetated areas where they sun themselves on the trunks of trees. They may sometimes be found near to rotting material where they deposit their eggs.

Spring to autumn.

Muscina flies commonly breed in manure and defecate on food, which has been linked to the spread of some disease and illnesses. The occurrence of Muscina larvae on dead bodies has led to their regular use in forensic investigations, as they may be used to estimate the time of death.

Widespread and fairly frequent in England and Wales.

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.