Cheilosia illustrata possibly - for ID check

Geoff F · #1 (**permalink**) 11-07-2009, 03:31 PM

It has been raining all day today so I have been sorting through my unidentified June images.

Another one from rough grassland beside the wood, S. Devon.

Not a good image, it didn't hang around for me to get properly set up. But I'm thinking about Cheilosia possibly C. illustrata. Dark wing cloud, hairy bee like appearance, darkish legs, mostly grey face.

But I'm not really confident with this poor specimen so would appreciate a second opinion.

lync · #2 (**permalink**) 11-07-2009, 08:43 PM

Affirmative.

Geoff F · #3 (**permalink**) 12-07-2009, 07:58 PM

Thanks, it wasn't the ideal angles.

Thanks are also due to Messers Stubbs & Falk where I worked out that possible ID. (British Hoverflies book).

Gerel · #4 (**permalink**) 12-07-2009, 08:18 PM

While you're on the subject would this one from a few days ago be the same species?

Steve

Geoff F · #5 (**permalink**) 12-07-2009, 08:36 PM

Very likely. It is always difficult to be certain from a photo, especially when only one angle is shown. But, as far as I am aware, the other alternatives with a bee like coat and a dark wing cloud like Volucella sp. for example are all plumper in the rear end.

lync · #6 (**permalink**) 12-07-2009, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerel

While you're on the subject would this one from a few days ago be the same species?

Steve

It is.

Gerel · #7 (**permalink**) 12-07-2009, 10:12 PM

Thanks,

I'd wondered about Volucella spp. before seeing this thread. The only other shot I took shows the abdomen more clearly.

Geoff F · #8 (**permalink**) 13-07-2009, 07:23 PM

That abdomen does look a bit on the big side but I think this is just the angle.

To my untrained eye, the wing veins look wrong for Volucella; particularly the outer cross vein and the scutellum appears too dark for Eriozona, so C. illustrata still seems the most likely. Although I would be willing to take a second opinion from a more knowledgeable person.