Muscid Fly
TQ4792 15/12/2018 ©Raymond Small
Phaonia sp.
This female fly was discovered hibernating under bark. Possibly Phaonia tuguriorum, one of the earliest Muscids to appear in the year. The tibia and femora should be dull yellow and the tarsi black. The species is often seen basking on tree trunks during sunny days - even in February. Unfortunately, due to there not being enough leg detail in the picture it was impossible to get an exact identification. There are 46 British Phaonia species, some extremely rare. Verified to genus by Essex Field Club recorder, Del Smith.
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