The Hoverfly Thread (2 Viewers)

[John Nihon]

Looks like a honeybee to me but I'm sure someone will say otherwise if it isn't.

http://www.seenature.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/FoE-UK-Bee-Identification-Guide.pdf

 

[pdwinter]

I'm a Hoverfly novice. Can anyone help me ID this one - taken in my garden in Suffolk, UK

It's a bee

 

[Welsh Peregrine]

On the first picture you can see the mandibles (jaws); hover flies have a sucking pad instead.

 

[Pudsey Marle]

On the first picture you can see the mandibles (jaws); hover flies have a sucking pad instead.

Thanks for the replies especially the explanation from Welsh Peregrine - I have lots to learn

I've attached 4 more which I need help with. I think 001 may be Eristalis Intricaria and 002 could be Sphaerophorea and the other two I can't work out. Hopefully someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Ficedula]

Looks like a honeybee to me but I'm sure someone will say otherwise if it isn't.

http://www.seenature.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/FoE-UK-Bee-Identification-Guide.pdf

Actually a leaf-cutter bee Megachile

 

[Ficedula]

Thanks for the replies especially the explanation from Welsh Peregrine - I have lots to learn

I've attached 4 more which I need help with. I think 001 may be Eristalis Intricaria and 002 could be Sphaerophorea and the other two I can't work out. Hopefully someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

#1 Eristalis (probably tenax, not intricaria)
#2 Sphaerophoria scripta
#3 Syrphus sp
#4 Eupeodes sp

 

[Pudsey Marle]

Thanks for your help Ficedula.

I only have 2 more at the moment and I'm not even sure that the second one (3 views) is a hoverfly - any help from anyone appreciated.

 

[aeshna5]

1 is Eristalis, I think E. arbustorum.
The others a bee-Honey Bee by looks of last 2 images.

 

[Ficedula]

Thanks for your help Ficedula.

I only have 2 more at the moment and I'm not even sure that the second one (3 views) is a hoverfly - any help from anyone appreciated.

#1 Eristalis
#2,3,4 Apis mellifera

 

[Surreybirder]

#1 Eristalis
#2,3,4 Apis mellifera

I agree. Eristalis arbustorum seems right for #1- the frons is completely dusted. (Still recommend joining the UK Hoverflies FB group!)

 

[Surreybirder]

Thanks for the replies especially the explanation from Welsh Peregrine - I have lots to learn

I've attached 4 more which I need help with. I think 001 may be Eristalis Intricaria and 002 could be Sphaerophorea and the other two I can't work out. Hopefully someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

I think that #1 is probably another E arbustorum
#2 is probably Sphaerophoria scripta
#3 is prob a Syrphus sp.
#4 is prob a Eupeodes sp.
You need someone more experienced than me to go further.

 

[John In Ireland]

Glad i found this thread! I didn't realise how many different hoverflies there were. I know most have to be identified by dissection or microscopic means. I was wondering if anyone could give me a guide to this one. I have found this thread now. Can anyone recommend a good site for identification guides?

 

[aeshna5]

One of the droneflies John & with that distinctive wing cloud, must be Eristalis horticola.

 

[Surreybirder]

Glad i found this thread! I didn't realise how many different hoverflies there were. I know most have to be identified by dissection or microscopic means. I was wondering if anyone could give me a guide to this one. I have found this thread now. Can anyone recommend a good site for identification guides?

Hi, John,
there are various reference books to the Syrphidae... the most accessible is 'Britain's Hoverflies' by Ball & Morris. It helps you to get to genus level and within each genus it shows those species that can be identified without the aid of a microscope. It is not an easy read, though! At least, I often find myself struggling. There is a really excellent Facebook group which Roger Morris spends a lot of time on. I'm not really aware of many on-line resources although there may well be local groups. In general, I find https://www.naturespot.org.uk/ a very useful site for wildlife although it is focused on the English midlands rather than Ireland!

 

[Pudsey Marle]

Is it possible to identify this for me. I'm not even sure it's a hoverfly.
It was taken in my garden in Suffolk, UK today. Not the best angle but it's the only shot I've got.

 

[aeshna5]

Looks like Eristalis tenax to me Pudsey.

 

[Surreybirder]

Looks like Eristalis tenax to me Pudsey.

Yes, a male.

 

[Pudsey Marle]

Could this be Xylota jakutorum?
I'm trying to identify hoverflies but still finding it difficult even with a field guide

 

[Ficedula]

Could this be Xylota jakutorum?
I'm trying to identify hoverflies but still finding it difficult even with a field guide

not a hoverfly. Stratiomyidae, either Chloromyia formosa or Microchrysa polita

 

[Pudsey Marle]

not a hoverfly. Stratiomyidae, either Chloromyia formosa or Microchrysa polita

Thanks Ficedula