4 insects for id please

vaughnie · #1 (**permalink**) 20-08-2008, 08:39 PM

Finally got a sunny day (15th August) to go out in the countryside. Got some insect photos-could id most of them but not these four:
I'm thinking Southern Hawker (but I'm still saving up for a dragonfly book...)

A couple of hoverflies....these were the best photos i could get so i'll appreciate it if they're not id-able to species level.

and a very pretty beetle-apologies for the odd angle, i was stretched out over a pond to take it

Thanks in advance!
Vaughn

Ollie · #2 (**permalink**) 20-08-2008, 08:46 PM

You are right with the dragonfly a Southern Hawker female I think. Sorry I can't help with the ID of the others
Roger

nutmeg · #3 (**permalink**) 20-08-2008, 09:03 PM

The rather nice large fly in the first of your hoverfly shots looks like a soldier fly - I'm sure someone will put a name to it.

Dogghound · #4 (**permalink**) 20-08-2008, 09:15 PM

1. Ovipositing Female Southern Hawker
2.Stratiomys potamida
3. Syrphus Sp likely S.ribesii
4. Donacia sp probrably D.aquatica

oxycera · #5 (**permalink**) 20-08-2008, 09:26 PM

There is a hoverfly on the Stratiomys pic. - Episyrphus balteatus

vaughnie · #6 (**permalink**) 20-08-2008, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nutmeg

The rather nice large fly in the first of your hoverfly shots looks like a soldier fly - I'm sure someone will put a name to it.

oh yeah, it was the soldier fly i meant! are the wings folded over the body a clue? to it not being a hoverfly that is...

Thanks for the id's everyone

Vaughn

Dogghound · #7 (**permalink**) 21-08-2008, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vaughnie

oh yeah, it was the soldier fly i meant! are the wings folded over the body a clue? to it not being a hoverfly that is...

Thanks for the id's everyone

Vaughn

Both groups of flies rest with their wings folded like this. Most soldier flies are less confusing.