Long snouted hoverfly - many small white eggs(?) stuck on hairs

Bruce Williams · #1 (**permalink**) 29-08-2008, 05:26 PM

This is Rhingia campestris photographed on nettles along the canal-side in Berks. This is the first time I've seen this species "in the flesh" so to speak although I saw quite a few on the same day at the same location.

Could anyone identify gender pls?

My main reason for posting was to ask about the small white "eggs" stuck on the hairs. Anyone know what they might be?

Bruce

Dogghound · #2 (**permalink**) 29-08-2008, 05:30 PM

Male Rhingia campestris.

Are they not just water droplets?

Bruce Williams · #3 (**permalink**) 29-08-2008, 05:43 PM

Thanks Dan. Did you identified it as male from the large, closely spaced eyes or are there other gender differences?

I'm almost certain that the white blobs are not water droplets. I have photographed many insects covered in water droplets and this insect just "looked different". For instance all the blobs are almost exactly the same size and shape - in my experience not usually the case with water droplets. Also the photo was taken mid-day(ish) and there had been no rain at all that day.

I photographed several individuals at this location and this one was the only one with these white blobs on it. I should also say that they were a very bright white even in the shade.

Bruce

Bruce Williams · #4 (**permalink**) 29-08-2008, 07:51 PM

Have done a bit of Googling in the hope of finding out some info on the behaviour etc of this species - in particular the purpose behind the long snout. Anyway I came across this Flickr webpage that contains some info and pics that I thought some of you might be interested in checking out: Hoverfly (Rhingia campestris) - Macro on Flickr

One other interesting thing was the sometimes used common name of Duck-billed Hoverfly. I'm not sure whether or not this name is in use in the UK or just the USA.

Bruce