Meigenia mutabilis

3-8.5 mm. A grey dusted tachinid with different looking males and females (males are darker). There are two forms where the smaller form (3-5mm) is generally darker. Males have a pair of narrow white stripes on the thorax which are aligned with the dorsocentrals. Males have a pair of pale spots on tergite 1 divided by a dark mid-line (view from behind) Pale dusting is also found on other tergites.

Meigenia dorsalis is only distinguishable by checking the male genitalia.

Grassland and woodland rides.

April - September

The larvae are parasitoids of chrysomelid beetle larvae and the larvae of Athalia sawflies.

Fairly common in the south of Britain.

Rare or under-recorded.