Rhagio tringarius

Description

Length 8 to 14 mm. Like other Rhagio species, R. tringarius is a yellowy-orange fly with long, slender legs. This species lacks the dark wing stigma of most other Rhagio species. The black patterning on the orange abdomen is variable, sometimes showing as diamonds or triangles but in others it can be generally lacking altogether.

Similar Species

Six species of Rhagio have been found in the UK. The only other species lacking wing markings and a dark stigma is the rare R. annulatus but this species has black humeri and palps whereas in R. tringarius these are yellow.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Hedgerows woods and other well wooded areas with rich vegetation.

When to see it

May to August.

Life History

Rhagio triangularis is usually found resting on leaves and rarely sits on tree trunks and fence posts like some other species in this genus. Their larvae dwell in the ground.

UK Status

Common and widespread in Britain.

VC55 Status

Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Marsh Snipefly
Species group:
Flies
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Diptera
Family:
Rhagionidae
Records on NatureSpot:
68
First record:
19/07/1951 (Wesley, Isaac)
Last record:
10/08/2023 (Higgott, Mike)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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