Grass Fly

Chloropidae

Grass flies belonging to the familly Chloropidae are generally small (<4mm) with yellow or black colouration and bodies that have a shiny appearance due to lack of hairs. Larvae in this genus usually feed on grasses.

Ensign Fly

Nemopoda

Tiny, ant-like in appearance, about 4mm long. The wings are clear with no markings. There are several species in the genus Nemopoda and they need close examination to tell apart. They have a preference for damp boggy locations and are usually seen from April until September. The common name came about because it was thought the way their wings moved while running resembled flags being waved. The larvae inhabit dung and rotting vegetation.

Tachinid Fly

Siphona sp.

This is likely to be Siphona geniculata a common fly in the Tachinid genus, however there are similar species and without closer examination it is difficult to be certain. The Tachinids are a family of free-living flies which produce larvae that are parasitoids of insects. Siphona geniculata is parasitic on Craneflies. Adults are about 7mm long.

Red Spotted Parasite Fly

Eriothrix rufomaculata

A common bristly Tachinid that visits flowers during summer and autumn, especially umbellifers such as Hogweed and Wild Carrot. Its parasitic larvae develop inside moth caterpillars.

Orange-marked Cranefly

Ptychoptera contaminata

Usually seen at the edge of Hainault Lake from April to September. Their aquatic larvae live in mud in shallow water,  breathing through tube tails that extend to the surface. This belongs to the family Ptychopteridae which are known as Phantom Craneflies.

Rust Fly

Loxocera

Rust Flies in the genus Loxocera are difficult to tell apart without close examination. Loxocera aristata has a black face with a long line of light hairs running from the eyes to the mouth. This species is associated with Soft-rush and other Juncus rushes.

Thick-headed Fly

Sicus ferrugineus

Visits hedgerows and meadows during summer and autumn where it feeds on nectar and pollen. The yellow head has large reddish-brown bulging eyes. This species measures up to 12mm in length. 

Large Marsh Horsefly

Tabanus autumnalis

Horseflies in the genus Tabanus commonly feed on blood of cattle and ponies. Both sexes feed on nectar; additionally females require a blood meal before they are able to reproduce effectively. To obtain blood, the females bite animals, including humans. Males are harmless. This is a female about 14mm long.  

Signal Fly

Poecilobothrus nobilitatus

Signal flies are seen in large groups around Hainault Lake and the forest ponds from May to August. They rest on vegetation, the water's surface and mud. Males have white wing tips that are flapped to attract females with a mating dance.

Dark-edged Bee-fly

Bombylius major

The Bee-fly has a furry body, patterned wings and a long proboscis used for drinking nectar from flowers. Males have eyes that touch on top of the head. Females have eyes with a gap inbetween. Bee-flies are often seen basking in sunshine during spring. The young feed of bee and wasp larvae. They do not sting and are completely harmless.

Dark-edged Bee-fly

Bombylius major

Ten Bee-fly species live in Britain; the Dark-edged Bee-fly the one most likely to be encountered in Hainault Forest. On sunny spring days they are often seen resting on leaf litter. The long proboscis is used for drinking nectar from flower-heads and is not a stinger. Bee-flies are harmless to humans.

Greenbottle

Gymnocheta viridis

Appears in spring and is often seen resting on sunny tree trunks and fence posts. The thorax and abdomen have similar colouration and the palps are black. The abdomen has strong erect bristles and the eyes are hairy.

Mothfly

Psychodidae

Flies in this family have a furry moth-like wings. They are usually found in aquatic, semi-terrestrial and sludge-based habitats. Some species are found on vegetation around pounds and streams, others inhabit drains and sewage systems.

Non-biting Midge

Chironomidae

There are numerous species of Non-biting midges and identifying individual species is difficult even for experienced recorders. Males are easily recognized by their plumed antennae. Bloodworms, which are the larval stage, can be found in almost any aquatic or semiaquatic habitat. This male was attracted to UV light in a moth trap.

Locust Blowfly

Stormorhina lunata

This may look superficially like a Hoverfly, but it is actually a mid-sized Blowfly; a migrant, usually originating from Africa that visits Michaelmas daisies, umbellifers and other flowers. This species predates on locust eggs and is occasionally seen in Britain during late-summer and autumn. The banded eyes are very distinctive. Males have reddish eyes.

Locust Blowfly

Stormorhina lunata

This may look superficially like a Hoverfly, but it is actually a mid-sized Blowfly; a migrant, usually originating from Africa that visits Michaelmas daisies, umbellifers and other flowers. This species predates on locust eggs and is occasionally seen in Britain during late-summer and autumn. The banded eyes are very distinctive. Males have reddish eyes.