Anthomyia procellaris

This small handsome fly has a thorax neatly marked with black spots on a grey background.

There are other similar species and certain identification requires detailed examination, if we cannot be certain that an image is Anthomyia procellaris but it is likely to be this species, it is highlighted in a red box.

Anthomyia procellaris is very similar to A. bazini A. imbrida and A. pluvialis. A. procellaris cannot be distinguished from the rare A. bazini without examining the male genitalia. A. pluvialis has the spots on the side of the thorax separated but in males of procellaris, imbrida and bazini that they are fused.

It is also useful to count the anterodorsal setae on the hind tibia (males), there are 9-15 in A. imbrida, less in the others. (Note that A. imbrida and A. bazini has not (yet) been recorded in Leics and Rutland).

Examination of the male genitalia is necessary to key out this species. Please explain how you identified your specimen.

Well wooded areas. It is often seen sun-bathing on fences and posts and feeding on bird droppings.

This species is not well understood but is thought to have an association with birds' nests.

Scattered records from England and Wales.

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland is not known.