The Society for the study of flies (Diptera)

Rachel Hacking · 2010-08-11 00:11:16

Hi all,

Last month I was visiting a park in Cheadle, near Stockport, where a number of new ponds had been dug in an area of marshy grassland. I noticed a large fly on the wing, larger than any I had seen before. It always seemed to land on the opposite edge of the pond I was looking at so I handed my net over to my friend who was wearing waders, and he managed to catch the fly without drenching himself!

I keyed it out using Stubbs & Drake (2001) and it came to Tabanus autumnalis. I have attached 2 images.

The nearest record is from Leigh, Lancashire (VC59). Chris Felton found it there in 2007 and subsequently wrote his record up in the recent Lancs and Cheshire Entomological Society Journal (vol 131 & 132).

I have tried to find VC58 records for this species to no avail so perhaps this is a county first. If so, it could be suggested that this species is moving northerly. I'll certainly be keeping my eyes out for it in suitable habitat near home.

Please could somebody confirm that this is T. autumnalis - I'd be much obliged.

Cheers,

Rachel

Uploaded Images

Dark Horse · 2010-08-11 05:42:14

Hi Rachel,

This is indeed a female Tabanus autumnalis, and your notes are most interesting. I would not have expected it to occur as far north as vcs 58 and 59, and the records would seem to indicate a recent north-western extension to its British range. It is a large and distinctive fly that is unlikely to be overlooked by experienced dipterists; although it is often difficult to capture if it is at rest. There is much suitable habitat for this species in vcs 61 and 63 if it ever moved northwards, but I never found any evidence of it during 25 years of fieldwork. Old records from Durham were in error for Tabanus cordiger.

Andrew Grayson

The Society for the study of flies (Diptera)

#1 2010-08-11 00:11:16

Tabanus autumnalis - new to VC58?

#2 2010-08-11 05:42:14

Re: Tabanus autumnalis - new to VC58?

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