Hoverfly in flight ID please

Toby · #1 (**permalink**) 26-07-2009, 02:08 PM

near Sedum plant, Surrey.

Jason Green · #2 (**permalink**) 26-07-2009, 02:14 PM

Nice shot, Tobes! Try a Platycheirus sp.

Geoff F · #3 (**permalink**) 26-07-2009, 06:53 PM

Platycheiru albimanus is quite possible. It should have a slightly expanded fore leg towards the tip. I'm not sure from that photo angle, although it looks to have a wider area in the correct place.

Do you have any other clearer photos?

OK, I'm joking, good image there.

Toby · #4 (**permalink**) 26-07-2009, 10:48 PM

well I have a different angle (hope its the same species!). Markings on abdomen can appear yellow or grey according to angle I read.

Geoff F · #5 (**permalink**) 27-07-2009, 07:50 PM

Well, I'm no expert on Platycheirus front legs but that does look like P. albimanus when compared with the drawing in my book. There is a smaller and rather similar species, P. discimanus, but that has a shorter and rounder expanded area of the leg. It is also a rather uncommon species.

Platycheirus consists of around 20 species with about 6 of them being grey spotted and subtle variations between the fore leg expansions are one of the ways of seperating them. But it really needs a specimen in front of you and a good magnifing lens to be certain.

The abdominal colour spot variation between silvery grey and bronze depending on the light angle is typical of P. albimanus.