Thaumatomyia glabra

Description

A small (c2.2mm) black and yellow fly with broad, glossy stripes on the top of the thorax and a bright yellow scutellum. The thorax and scutellum are largely lacking hairs/bristles. The black patch on the back of the head (occiput) extends to the eye margin. See the ID Aids and ID checklist below for more on the key ID characters.

Similar Species

Other black and yellow Chloropid flies.

Identification difficulty
ID checklist (your specimen should have all of these features)
  • c2.2mm
  • yellow with glossy broad black stripes on the thorax and on the dorsal surface of the abdomen
  • frontal triangle glossy extending to the front of the frons, bordered by a row of fine hairs (hard to see) and with a groove at each side
  • scutellum bare and all yellow, with tiny side bristles and two prominent apical bristles
  • occiput (back of the head) with the black patch extending to the eye margins
  • gena as broad, or broader, than the 3rd antennal segment
Identification aids

This shows three of the key ID features that you should check when identifying Thaumatomyia glabra.

Image
T. glabra
Recording advice

Good images needed that show the ID features.

Habitat

Found in a variety of habitats, particularly wood margins, arable fields, gardens and waste ground.

When to see it

May - September

UK Status

Common and widespread.

VC55 Status

Appears uncommon but most 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:
Flies
Kingdom:
Order:
Family:
Records on NatureSpot:
1
First record:
26/06/2025 (Nicholls, David)
Last record:
26/06/2025 (Nicholls, David)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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