Tachina grossa
At last in the summer of 2004 it appeared in our garden for the first time: Tachina grossa, the biggest fly in Western Europa. Not difficult to identify by the big, black body and the orange face. It is very hairy indeed and looks very much like a bumble bee. Reaching a length of up to 21 mm it is even bigger than any of our bumble bees. It does remind one of the very common Mid-day Fly, only its face is entirely orange, it is hairy and, of course, it is much bigger. A large species like this is in need of big hosts of course. The eggs are usually deposited in the fat caterpillars of the Eggar Moths, which is a family of impressive, owlet like moths. Once seen, you'll never forget this species.
