Phaonia subventa

Description

Length 6 to 8 mm. This is one of several similar species with an orange body, stripy thorax, which is grey above and orange below. The bulge on the outer wing is characteristic of the Phaonia genus.

Similar Species

Phaonia rufiventris is another very common orange fly. This species has just one pair of acrostichal bristles and 3 posteria bristles on the mid-tibia.

Identification difficulty
ID guidance
  • 2 pairs of pre-sutural acrostichal bristles
  • 2 posterior bristles on the mid-tibia
Habitat

Well vegetated areas, often in well wooded spots.

When to see it

March to November.

Life History

They reproduce several times a year. Females lay their eggs in rotting leaves, rotting wood or in carrion, on which their larvae feed. The larvae overwinter there.

UK Status

Fairly common and widespread in England and Wales.

VC55 Status

Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Species group:
Flies
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Diptera
Family:
Muscidae
Records on NatureSpot:
42
First record:
20/04/2007 (Nicholls, David)
Last record:
12/04/2024 (Pochin, Christine)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.

In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.

Latest images

Latest records