Protoclythia modesta

Length: 3.5-4.5mm

Female: Grey-dusted head and thorax, legs yellowish. Abdomen with broad bands of grey dusting, narrowest in the middle. Underside of abdomen yellowish. 

Male: Dull black with yellowish sides to tergites 1-4. Legs partly yellowish.

Female: Platypeza species, but P. modesta has yellowish legs. Also possibly with Kesselimyia and Lindneromyia, but differing by long first hind tarsomere and grey dusting.

Male: Agathomyia cinerea, but that has no fork in vein M.

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box, state the key or ID method used and describe the size and identifying characters.

Woodlands and parks.

Early September to late November, peaking late September to mid October.

Larvae feed in Honey Fungus (Armillaria sp.).

Scattered records across southern and central England and Wales.

The record from Wood Close Plantation was the second for VC55.