Hoeverfly for id - eristalis sp?

MattPrince · #1 (**permalink**) 26-05-2010, 05:47 PM

Hello,

This one looks like eristalis ?horticola? from a quick google images search, but I'm well aware there are probably other eristalis lookalikes!

Regards,
Matt

Geoff F · #2 (**permalink**) 26-05-2010, 07:18 PM

I can't see any dark patch on the wing which would rule out E. horticola, the face also appears a bit dark.

The other required ingredients, like a good view of the legs are also obscured. So I would be tempted to suggest E. pertinax or E. interruptus.

But they all have variable colouration on the abdomen so I wouldn't like to be sure of anything here.

Roger Morris has been visiting this site to impart some better qualified wisdom, so he may be able to give a stronger opinion.

Roger Morris · #3 (**permalink**) 27-05-2010, 06:42 AM

Hi Guys

My gut instinct is E. horticola but I am not sure. I think the angle of the photo may be responsible for lack of wing markings. I did check for colour of eye hairs and don't detect a band.

A problem I'm afraid.

Regards

Roger

MattPrince · #4 (**permalink**) 27-05-2010, 11:41 AM

The problem is mine - too much incident light

Having had a quick look for the mark you're talking about I think it is present, just visible on the lower wing - but mostly obscured by the harsh light.

Strangely we were actually looking for another eristalis - bog hoverfly at the time.

Guys thanks for your input - one more thing - I'm a bit confused about the correct species name for horticola - with lineata as the preferred name on another website. Whats the informed opinion?

Roger Morris · #5 (**permalink**) 27-05-2010, 11:29 PM

Where were you looking for E. cryptarum? It has a pretty restricted distribution on Dartmoor.

You may not recognise E. cyrptarum as an eristaline when you first see it - I did not when I refound it in the early 1990s - it took me a minute to realise I'd found what we were looking for.

Regards

Roger