Neottiophilum praeustum

This is a shining orange fly with a spinose costa. It is about 9 mm long. The wings are marked with dark 'shades' particularly at the wing tip.

There are several other orange flies with black wings markings:

Palloptera quinquemaculata - darker wing markings with the black at the tip extending a third of the way along the leading wing edge.

Meiosimyza decempunctata - wing tip black broken into separate spots.

Minetta inusta - lacks the spot over the short cross-vein.

Suillia variegata - the wing tip black mark does not reach the tip.

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.

Various habitats in search of suitable birds' nests for their larva.

May and June.

This attractively patterned fly is sometimes called the Nest Skipper Fly. The larvae are parasites of birds, sucking the blood of nestlings. It has been found in nests of House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) as well as other species including various finches.

Very few British records have been entered, mostly from southern England.

Uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland