The Hoverfly Thread (1 Viewer)

[Peewit]

A fascinating group of insects with some interesting mimics.

Here are three to start off with. Feel free to shoot my IDs down in flames

First two Eristalis tenax (Drone Fly)
Epistrophe eligans
Helophilus pendulus

The following key covers Helophilus sp.:
http://home.hccnet.nl/mp.van.veen/KEYS/Helophilus/helo_key.html

The last pic is another Eristalis tenax I think.

Love this thread, and Brian it is such a good idea to start it off.

Love the pictures and, I have got to admit they are beautiful insects to look at. enjoy seeing them in the garden.

Unfortunately I only have a basic book (need to buy so many books at the moment!!). The only 2 pictures I have are of the Drone Fly and the Hover Fly. Of course there are lots that exist.

So I will tread forth to the book shop, and buy what is needed when more organized here

Anyone got a good book to buy in mind here? Appreciate any suggestions? If the book is combined, as a insect book, that will be all right too.

(I have had a good recommendation for a butterfly and Moth book at the moment, so I will add this on to my list!)

Thank you for your help :t:

 

[Brian Stone]

This is the best book for the UK:
http://www.nhbs.com/british_hoverflies_tefno_5273.html

There is another good tome covering NW Europe:
http://www.nhbs.com/hoverflies_of_northwest_europe_tefno_138679.html

I have both but rarely need anything other than the first.

This forum is also useful:
http://www.hoverfly.org.uk/portal.php

 

[Peewit]

Hi Brian

What a quick answer here

Thank you for your help!! :t:

 

[Surreybirder]

There was a hoverfly on hemp agrimony in our garden yesterday. It was only about 1cm long and I'm afraid the photo is rubbish. But is there enough there to make an ID?
Ken

 

[Dimitris]

Hello all!

Anyone know what this one is? Photoed today in the Australian National Botanical Gardens in Canberra (Australia).

Cheers!

Dimitris

 

[Brian Stone]

Helophilus trittivatus

This is a large and very bright hoverfly. Note the yellow vertical face stripe (black in other Helophilus spp.) and the all yellow 'toes' on the middle leg.

 

[Checkmate]

Can someone help with this one please? I'm not sure if its...

Helophilus pendulus
or
Helophilus trivittatus

Thank you.

 

[Brian Stone]

Not trivittaus - note the black 'feet' on middle leg an the black stripe down the 'face'. Compare with my previous post.

I expect this is pendulus but to be sure it's not hybridus I'd like to see the hind leg.

 

[Checkmate]

Not trivittaus - note the black 'feet' on middle leg an the black stripe down the 'face'. Compare with my previous post.

I expect this is pendulus but to be sure it's not hybridus I'd like to see the hind leg.

Thank you Brian. I've attached the best shot I have of the hind legs...

 

[Brian Stone]

Definitely pendulus - the tibia is at least half yellow, usually much less on hybridus.

 

[Checkmate]

Definitely pendulus - the tibia is at least half yellow, usually much less on hybridus.

Thanks again Brian, very much appreciated.

 

[steve covey]

There was a hoverfly on hemp agrimony in our garden yesterday. It was only about 1cm long and I'm afraid the photo is rubbish. But is there enough there to make an ID?
Ken

Hi Ken, as it seems no one else has had a go with this one [unless I missed it somewhere!] to me this looks like a female Sphaerophoria scripta.
Cheers,
Steve.

 

[Gemm]

Hi, I've just found this thread and had a very interesting read. They are so fascinating and I love photographing them. Here are my contributions. (I'm sorry I have no idea what species they are!)

 

[jomike]

Hoverfly ID

Can anyone tell me what hoverfly this is, or if it even is a hoverfly?

Some more of my Hoverfly and relatives' pics can be seen here

http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/sets/72157601622054029/

TIA

Mike

 

[aeshna5]

Can anyone tell me what hoverfly this is, or if it even is a hoverfly?

Some more of my Hoverfly and relatives' pics can be seen here

http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/sets/72157601622054029/

TIA

Mike

Looks like a tachinid fly to me.

 

[jomike]

Thanks aeshna, looks like Tachina fera.

Mike

 

[charly streets]

Hi all,

I was just browsing some old photos I'd taken and wondered if this was one of the migratory scaeva species of hoverfly. It was taken on Aug. 26th 05 in my garden in W.Yorks. This was the only shot and I've no idea of size. Thanks.

Charly.

 

[walwyn]

Charly - looks like Scaeva pyrastri

 

[charly streets]

Thanks Walwyn. I wasn't sure if there were other similar genus-s or not.

 

[Roger Morris]

ID correction

Does anyone recognise this distinctive-looking fella please?

This is Leucozona lucorum

Roger Morris