Syrphus and Eupeodes

[DaiTheDragon]

From what I have learned there are 2 species Syrphus and Eupeodes that are very hard to tell apart. Are these images one of those species? and could you tell me what sp means.
I am trying to learn, honest.

Dai

[oxycera]

Look like Syrphus to me but telling them apart from photos is mainly down to 'jizz'. With a hand lens or microscope its easy - the squamae (floppy things at base of wings) have hairs on the top surface in Syrphus.
sp. I've never really seen defined but I've always took it to mean 'species', i.e. Syrphus sp. means a species in the genus Syrphus.

[DaiTheDragon]

Thank you oxycera.

Dai

[Geoff F]

As well as several, although mostly similar, species of Syrphus there are several species of Eupeodes which can be quite variable.

Speaking very generally, the yellow abdominal spots on Eupeodes tend to be more comma shaped, although they can vary from rather narrow to quite broad.

Possibly the most confusing species is E. latifasciatus where the spots can be joined into bands but they are usually much broader bands than Syrphus and the first spots (tergite 2) are broader and more angled. The yellow of E. latifasciatus tends to be a bit brighter than Syrphus but this should be treated with care as colours can appear incorrect under some lighting conditions.

But this is very generalised and some Syrphus can have broader spots on tergite 2. In which case the leg colouration may help.

The Eupeodes species which most resemble Syrphus have mostly yellow legs except for a darkening of the tarsus and femora on the hind leg. Syrphus have quite dark (usually black) tarsi on all legs.

And there are also a few other species which are extremely similar to Syrphus but are different in size and rather rare.

Identification of hoverflies can be difficult so I have drawn up a check list of possible things for me to consider when attempting identification. But it has taken me a lot of time during the dark wet days of winter.

If you really want to learn about hoverflies, get the book; British Hoverflies by Alan Stubbs. Not cheap but good value for money.