The Hoverfly Thread (2 Viewers)

[Surreybirder]

I thought I'd post a few pix from this month. They've all been verified by people better than me! I forgot to label the first one - Scaeva pyrastri, one of the easier ones to ID.

 

[colincurry]

Wonder if these pics taken yesterday might be of an Eristalis nemorum please?

Thanks

Colin

 

[Rotherbirder]

Would have liked a shot of the face but all else does suggest nemorum.

RB

 

[Ficedula]

Would have liked a shot of the face but all else does suggest nemorum.

RB

surely tenax?

 

[colincurry]

Full-frontal snap

 

[Surreybirder]

Looks more like tenax to me.

 

[Surreybirder]

I've had this one confirmed as Eristalis arbustorum. Not so easy these hoverflies!

 

[Rotherbirder]

Looks more like tenax to me.

Agree, the broad facial stripe does confirm it to be tenax; as I said initially, I would have liked to see a shot of the face from the outset. Why not post it when you had it? Interestingly, the vertical bands of hairs on eyes also typical of tenax aren't visible in your shots. Just shows how unreliable identifying to species from mediocre images can be!

RB

 

[Rotherbirder]

I've had this one confirmed as Eristalis arbustorum. Not so easy these hoverflies!

Yep, looks OK for arbustorum. The second image clearly shows the dark, thickened rear metatarsus and the pale tibia, darkened distally, on the middle leg.

RB

 

[pdwinter]

Wonder if these pics taken yesterday might be of an Eristalis nemorum please?

Thanks

Colin

Hi Colin - identifiable as E.tenax from the photos in your original post - I've annotated one of your pics (and corrected the text it now)

 

[Steve]

Found this one on my shed, quite big.

 

[aeshna5]

Found this one on my shed, quite big.View attachment 1405837

Looks like Volucella zonaria-our largest species.

 

[colincurry]

Agree, the broad facial stripe does confirm it to be tenax; as I said initially, I would have liked to see a shot of the face from the outset. Why not post it when you had it? Interestingly, the vertical bands of hairs on eyes also typical of tenax aren't visible in your shots. Just shows how unreliable identifying to species from mediocre images can be!

RB

Because I know very little about hoverflies and clearly mistakenly thought the two pics would be sufficient. Appreciate your help but not the belittlement

 

[colincurry]

View attachment 1405833
Hi Colin - identifiable as E.tenax from the photos in your original post - I've annotated one of your pics.

Thanks, Paul. The learning curve continues.

Colin

 

[Surreybirder]

Thanks, Paul. The learning curve continues.

Colin

In general (but not always), the ideal is to have dorsal, side and front views of a hoverfly you want to ID. There are various files about what to photograph, and the most commonly photographed species on the hoverfly Facebook group. Well worth joining if you want to pursue the subject. A lot of them are quite tricky but there is a fair number that can be done from photographs.

 

[pdwinter]

In general (but not always), the ideal is to have dorsal, side and front views of a hoverfly you want to ID. There are various files about what to photograph, and the most commonly photographed species on the hoverfly Facebook group. Well worth joining if you want to pursue the subject. A lot of them are quite tricky but there is a fair number that can be done from photographs.

Agree with Ken - the facebook group Facebook Groups is well worth joining. It's where I learnt to look at thickened hind tibia (I note that in my rush to annotate your pic I've mistakenly typed femur - will correct later!) first when I see an Eristalis after Roger Morris had corrected a few of my attempted IDs - always good when someone who wrote the book can take the time to help out.

 

[Farnboro John]

Lots of knowledge on display here and I have none.... could somebody help me with an ID of the hoverfly in the attached two pictures please?

John

 

[pdwinter]

Volucella zonaria female.

 

[Farnboro John]

Volucella zonaria female.

Thank you very much. My wife called me out to look at it "and bring your camera" and as you can see the light was excellent.

Cheers

John

 

[Rotherbirder]

Because I know very little about hoverflies and clearly mistakenly thought the two pics would be sufficient. Appreciate your help but not the belittlement

Sorry?! I fail to see where the 'belittlement ' was in my reply. The images accompanying your post are less than ideal when it comes to identifying syrphids; I'm no great shakes as a photographer myself, so I know a mediocre image when I see one! If you were offended by this fact, then I'll ensure that I don't respond to your requests in future to protect your delicate sensibilities.

RB