Eriothrix rufomaculata, Tachinid Fly

Common Name: Tachinid Fly

Eriothrix rufomaculata, more commonly known as a Tachinid Fly, is a bristly black species, with prominent orange patches on the sides of its abdomen, separated by a dorsal black line. Quite distinctive in the field with the orange abdominal side patches, slightly shaded wings and a silvery face with protruding mouth edge.

The only species that you could confuse with this is the much rarer Mintho rufiventris but M.rufiventris has a laterally-compressed abdomen and two broad black longitudinal stripes on the thorax - contrasting with rufomaculata's cylindrical abdomen and four narrow stripes on the thorax.

The species is parasitic, the larvae developing inside the larvae of moths. Adults are flower-feeders, visiting in particular members of the Umbelliferae and Asteraceae. This species is common and widespread throughout the UK, and is also found in Ireland.

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