Dull dark female Sphaerophoria - any guesses?

Geoff F · #1 (**permalink**) 11-05-2010, 04:56 PM

S. Devon, 10/05/10, on celandine beside a small stream. Approx S. scripta size.

Firstly, is it definitely a Sphaerophoria species? I know that positive identification is impossible here, but if you were attempting to guess the ID what would you say?

The thoracic side stripe isn't a continuous thick line but is it faintly there on the second half? I can't get this specimen to easily fall into the broken line categories of loewi (antennae not black) or rueppellii (abdomen length and location).

I am tempted to think that because the general colouration is so dull and dark that the 'yellow stripe rule' may be unreliable here and it is most likely S. scripta or S. interrupta.

Just wondering how other people would guess this specimen.

Jason Green · #2 (**permalink**) 11-05-2010, 07:12 PM

Evenng Geoff,

Yes, it's definately a Sphaerophoria species, but I personally won't try to go further on a photo for fear of unreliable identifications. It's all genital to the very best of my knowledge.

I'm hoping to stumble across one or two males this year, and get them under the microscope and re-post should it be of interest to anyone!

Take care,

Jason

Matt Smith · #3 (**permalink**) 11-05-2010, 09:55 PM

Female Sphaerophoria cannot be identified to species, all IDs are done via males, normally by examination of the gential capsule

Geoff F · #4 (**permalink**) 12-05-2010, 06:33 PM

Yes I know you can't get a confirmed ID on these; but whenever faced with that situation, be it insect, spider, or whatever, I usually try to play the 'guessing game' and try to work out the most likely outcome from what information is available.

Or to put it another way; if you were betting on the outcome, which species would you put your money on and why.

Matt Smith · #5 (**permalink**) 12-05-2010, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoff F

Or to put it another way; if you were betting on the outcome, which species would you put your money on and why.

TBH, it would just go down as "Sphaerophoria sp female" and ignored, I wouldn't even bother to hazard a guess. I have quite a few photos along these lines, nothing can be done with them and they can't be used to generate a record.