This is a St Mark's Fly (Bibio marci) so named because they tend to start appearing around St Mark's Day on 25th April. You tend to see them in fairly large numbers along country lanes apparently hanging in mid air with their two longest legs hanging down - very distinctive.
To us this is the dreaded May Fly. it dogs our every step on the Common especially just after rain when the sun is shining. Fantastic detail and I love the juxtaposition of it with the delicate pastel flowers.
@katriak - I'm often amazed at how interesting some insects are when you look up close, especially those I have regarded as fairly revolting!
@woofandweft1 - I've always thought these flies rather a nuisance as they just hang in the air and you have to walk through them. But when I got to look at them close I have warmed to them :)
@christophercox - Yes the matt black of the head is a real contrast to the shiny black of the body.
@novab - Their eyes are incredibly large. This is a male and the females for some reason have much smaller heads and smaller eyes!
@espyetta - There are hundreds around at this time of year when the sun comes out , but strangely only in a few places. They hang around in the lanes and if you walk a few yards into a field there aren't any at all!
Lots of bugs! Fav
@katriak - I'm often amazed at how interesting some insects are when you look up close, especially those I have regarded as fairly revolting!
@woofandweft1 - I've always thought these flies rather a nuisance as they just hang in the air and you have to walk through them. But when I got to look at them close I have warmed to them :)
@christophercox - Yes the matt black of the head is a real contrast to the shiny black of the body.
@bluerose15 @rickster549 @anthonyt - it is a bit grotesque! But fascinating all the same
@vera365 - it is remarkably bristly!
@novab - Their eyes are incredibly large. This is a male and the females for some reason have much smaller heads and smaller eyes!
@espyetta - There are hundreds around at this time of year when the sun comes out , but strangely only in a few places. They hang around in the lanes and if you walk a few yards into a field there aren't any at all!