Tachina lurida

This species lacks the pale stripes across the posterior edges of each tergite and has bolder orange abdominal side patches than Tachina ursina, the other similar species that may be encountered at the start of April.

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required. If the photo doesn't show the key ID features then in the comments box describe the size and identifying characters you have observed.

Various habitats.

From early April.

Tachinids are commonly referred to as ’parasitic flies’ because the larvae feed on the body tissues of immature or adult invertebrates. However, although we use the term parasite they are really parasitoids – the difference being that parasites don’t kill their hosts, but parasitoids usually cause the death of the host in some way – either by killing them outright – or by weakening them so much that they die.

Widespread but only occasionally recorded in Britain.

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.