Ugliest fly of the Year?

[LordV]

New one on me- but must be the ugliest fly I've seen yet and I thought I was beginning to like flies :)- Maybe it's a Christmas chocolate fly ?
Taken this morning at an air temp of 3'C.
Brian V.

http://static.flickr.com/34/72375451_17a5371b10_o.jpg

[Bald Eagle]

You're right, that one IS ugly. great capture. Makes my Wasp look pretty.:D ;) :D

[BearLeeAlive]

Actually, quite a handsome fellow Brian, good shot

[scrumpy]

Unusual for the time of year. Is that a tear in the wing? Maybe someone tried to get the wrapper off your choccy fly! Nice shot.

[LordV]

Thanks all for the comments, certainly is strange looking and a bit tatty :)
The fly experts have identified it as "Hippoboscidae. I think Ornithomyini."
These are very unpleasant blood sucking parasites especially on Birds. There goes my Christmas choccy :)
Brian V.

[denis]

Cracking shot as usual Brian! I was wondering what book(s) you use for identifying diptera? It's a family I haven't really got to grips with yet.

Best Wishes

Denis

[LordV]

Thanks denis,
Haven't really got a good Diptera book- just Collins Complete British Insects, but I actually use this site
http://www.diptera.info/news.php
That's who I meant by the experts.
When I get stuck- they are excellent on Diptera (not suprisingly) but are also pretty good on any other bugs I get stuck on.
Brian V.

Brian V.

[Desertraptor]

Ugly yes but not as ugly as them Krane Flies I've seen BE and other post.

[Leorooster]

One great capture. I thought you always love flies:rolleyes:

[LordV]

Ugly yes but not as ugly as them Krane Flies I've seen BE and other post.
Thanks Desertraptor,
I actually quite like crane flies :o .
Brian V.

[LordV]

One great capture. I thought you always love flies:rolleyes:
Thanks Leorooster,
Well I like most flies, but there are limits :D
I used to think Dung Flies looked pretty odd but this one just looks nasty (and is)!
Brian V.

[LordV]

Update on identification- apparently it's not a bird blood sucker at all but a seaweed sucker (Coelopidae)- makes sense- I'm just up the road from the beach but definately do not have any seaweed in the garden :) Funny thing is I went down to the beach in the Summer to see if I could get a pic of seaweed flies and failed miserably. :)
Brian V.

[kross]

Great shot of a hairy legs fly....:lol:

[marie]

New one on me- but must be the ugliest fly I've seen yet and I thought I was beginning to like flies :)- Maybe it's a Christmas chocolate fly ?
Taken this morning at an air temp of 3'C.
Brian V.

http://static.flickr.com/34/72375451_17a5371b10_o.jpg


that's a great looking fly and even greater shot Brian

[nitsch]

He sure is an ugly little guy Brian, but it's a great shot! :)

[LordV]

Thanks Marie and Nick
Brian V.

[kallousa]

Brian, even the ugliest turns a beauty queen by your touches
clear and sharp as usual, little oof at the eye ..

Regards

[LordV]

Brian, even the ugliest turns a beauty queen by your touches
clear and sharp as usual, little oof at the eye ..

Regards
Thanks Ahmad,
I'll claim I was doing an Identification pic as they are always interested in the wing venation :)
Brian V.