Rhagio scolopaceus, Snipe Fly

Common Name: Snipe Fly

Rhagio scolopaceus, more commonly known as a Snipe Fly, is 8-16 mm in length and like other Rhagio species R. scolopaceus are yellowy-orange (sometimes darkened) flies with long, slender legs. The sides of the thorax are grey as are the tops of the legs.

The wing has several darkened marks. The mouthparts are adapted for piercing and many species are haematophagous as adults, while others are predatory on other insects. Snipe flies in the genus Rhagio are sometimes called "down-looker" flies after their habit of perching head-downward on tree trunks.

They also like to sit on leaves in moist vegetation, and can be seen in hedgerows and woodland edges. On the wing from May to July. The larvae are also predatory and are mostly terrestrial, although some are aquatic. Common and widespread in the United Kingdom.

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