Dark hoverfly ID

[Lord V]

Smallish hoverfly taken yesterday on a bay tree leaf. Think I have seen this before but can't find the other pic.
Any idea on ID?
Thanks
Brian v.

[Jason Green]

Afternoon Brian,

Yes, it's a hoverfly from the Pipiza (or is that Pipizella?) genus.

Take care,

Jason

[Geoff F]

I would suspect P. luteitarsis or P. noctiluca and the rather dumpy shape to the abdomen would make me prefer the later.

But we need a clear shot of the front tarsus to be sure. Yellow for P. luteitarsus and darker for P. noctiluca.

Also, P. luteitarsis is rather uncommon and usually found in woodland, particularly elm.

[Lord V]

Thanks for the info so far- another shot of the hoverfly below.

Brian V.

[Geoff F]

I would say that is P. noctiluca; but I am still wearing my hoverfly 'L plates' so can't guarantee anything. And this family is rather complicated; there are even several recognised variations of P. noctiluca.

Roger Morris browses these pages sometimes so he may be able to give an expert view.

[Lord V]

Thanks Geoff
Brian V.

[Roger Morris]

Sorry guys please don't try to give names to Pipiza from photos - they are fiendish under the microscope and cannot be done in the way you are working - there are several possibilities - not just P. luteitarsis and P. noctiluca - how about P. fenestrata for a start?

Regards

Roger

[Jason Green]

Originally Posted by Roger Morris

...how about P. fenestrata for a start?

...or P. 'frustrata'?

[Lord V]

Thanks for the further info Roger. Quite happy just knowing the family rather than the specific species.
Brian v.

[Roger Morris]

Hi Brian

Do keep adding pics.

It would be really helpful if you included data - I've seen a good many of your shots on Flickr and have always been frustrated that there were none - whilst pics won't provide data for difficult species all records are helpful - not just for maps but also for looking at distribution change and climate change.

egards

Roger