Scathophaga furcata

Description

Wing length: male 4.5 to 6.0 mm  female 5.0 to 6 mm but size variable. Scathophaga furcata tends to be dull yellow with yellow legs and a dark mark on the outer side of the front femora (similar to S. lutaria which has a plumose arista). Antennae are orange-red but dark at the tip. The cross-veins on the wings are darkened.

Identification difficulty
ID checklist (your specimen should have all of these features)
  • dull yellow
  • arista almost bare
  • 1 sternopleural bristle
  • acrostichals small and fine
  • humeri similar in colour to the rest of the thorax
  • yellow legs except dark mark on front femora
  • antennae yellow-red (dark at the tip)
  • cross-veins darkened
Recording advice

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.

Habitat

A wide variety of habitats including grassland, woodland and wetland areas. They can be found on dung.

When to see it

Peak time is April to August.

Life History

They lay their eggs in dung, and that's what the larvae consume as they complete their development.

UK Status

Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain.

VC55 Status

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.

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:
Animalia
Order:
Diptera
Family:
Scathophagidae
Records on NatureSpot:
5
First record:
17/04/2020 (Berriman, Matthew)
Last record:
29/06/2024 (Nicholls, David)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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