Tachinid Fly

Voria ruralis

Description

Over all length 8 - 10mm. A very dark grey fly with black lines from the 'shoulders' of the thorax and broad dark bars on the abdomen. The legs are black and the face dull buff, with red eyes.

Habitat

Hedgerows, grasslands and brownfield sites where its larval food, the caterpillars of moths such as Goldspot, Silver-y and Spectacle, can be found.

Status and distribution

Fairly common and widespread in the southern half of Britain, rarer further north. Fairly common in Nottinghamshire and at Netherfield Lagoons.

Best time to see

June to August.