Tachinid Fly (Ectophasia crassipennis)

E crassipennis is a very recent arrival in the UK with the first 4 records made in 2019.

Alhough now establishing itself along the south coast of England and slowly northwards, recorded numbers are still very low.

Measuring between 6 & 9mm, this species is notable for its sexual dimorphism and variations in appearance.

Generally females, seen in this photo, are smaller than males and have an oval shaped abdomen, while the male's abdomen is noticeably flattened by comparison. Females have a single darkened patch on the wing, while the wings of the male are dark around the edges with a small central spot in the middle.

Adults are usually seen on the flowers of umbellifers, while the larvae are parasites of Pentatomids & Acanthosomatids (Shieldbugs).