Mating mystery insects

[monkey]

As you know from previous queries I am not very good on ID of insects and would appreciate your help again. Are these any relation to the kite tailed robberfly and hornet robberfly that you kindly ID for me last year? They were so noisy with their mating that it drew my attention to find them othrwise I would have walked straight past!



Linda

[Matt Smith]

A pair of mating hoverflies, the yellow all over them is pollen. Possibly Criorhina ranunculi, but I can't quite see enough of the required details?

[monkey]

Thank you Matt for your reply I did wonder if the yellow was pollen. They seemed quite big for hoverflies but as I said I have no clue about insects I am learning!

Thanks again

Linda

[Jason Green]

Afternoon Linda,

I agree - Hoverflies. On account of size - I assume they seemed quite big then? - it shows the antennae well, so I'll have a think.

Take care,

Jason

[Geoff F]

As a thought; the male does appear to have an expansion of the front tibia/tarsus which makes me wonder about Platycheirus sp. And I think I can see a hint of silvery spotting on the female abdomen.

Putting that together; I come up with Platycheirus albimanus possibly. Although there might not be sufficient black marking on the female head, but that could just be the camera angle. P. albimanus are very common now.

And now the small print - This idea does contain a degree of supposition and guess work.

[monkey]

Hi Geoff and Jason
Thankyou for the interesting input and facts you guys never cease to amaze me with the detail of ID! I dont know if it helps but this is another photo taken at the same time and may give you better idea of size etc? They made an amazing sort of screachy buzz and vibrating as they mated it was so loud.



Linda

[Matt Smith]

Originally Posted by Geoff F

As a thought; the male does appear to have an expansion of the front tibia/tarsus which makes me wonder about Platycheirus sp. And I think I can see a hint of silvery spotting on the female abdomen.

Putting that together; I come up with Platycheirus albimanus possibly. Although there might not be sufficient black marking on the female head, but that could just be the camera angle. P. albimanus are very common now.

Hi Geoff

Whatever they are, they are certainly not Platycheirus albimanus. P.albimanus is a small, "bald" hoverfly with a rounded face, not a large hairy insect with a curved and swollen hind femur and a pronounced "nose" on the face.

This is P.albimanus



This is Criorhina ranunculi.

[Geoff F]

To be honest, my first thought was something from the Tachinid species. But those antennae do look rather hoverfly like.

My second thought was Cheilosia illustrata but the faces are wrong.

I seem to recall something with a similar face but I just can't remember what.

[oxycera]

Certainly Criorhina; if this is a recent shot then it would be C.ranunculi.

[monkey]

Just to let you know that the shot was taken at Swanwick Lakes on the South Coast nr Southampton last Sunday 18th April about 5pm

I am finding the thread very interesting thanks

Linda