Sciapus platypterus
Length 6 or 7mm. Males have white middle tarsi. Females have front femora with a row of strong ventral spines in the basal half and three strong bristles at the top of the front coxa.
The genus Sciapus is recognised by the wing venation. Vein M forks with the upper split reaching wing edge just below vein R4+5. The lower split nearly reaching the wing edge.
To be seen around hedgerows and on tree trunks.
Summer
Preys on small insects.
Widespread, but not particularly frequent in Britain.
Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland.
David Nicholls
Ratby
31 May 2024
male
David Nicholls
Bardon Hill
26 July 2023
female
Mike Higgott
Anstey garden
01 June 2024
egaten
Thurlaston garden
15 June 2015
Barbara Cooper
Long Clawson
02 June 2014
male
Barbara Cooper
Long Clawson
02 June 2014
underside, male
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Species profile
- Species group:
- Flies
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
- Order:
- Diptera
- Family:
- Dolichopodidae
- Records on NatureSpot:
- 6
- First record:
- 02/06/2014 (Cooper, Barbara)
- Last record:
- 01/06/2024 (Higgott, Mike)
Total records by month
% of records within its species group
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