Hoverfly and bee i.d. please

[Miss Caretaker]

Hi, I have tried identifying this hoverfly with no luck so far! I can't seem to find one with the same perfectly straight stripes so maybe I'm overlokng one and concentrating too much on them? Anyhow, I saw it today in arable fields in North Hants.


This wee bee was feeding on a poppy in my back garden yesterday. I have included a pic with a bumble companion for size comparison. I thought it was a honey bee but aren't they a litle bigger?


Thanks, Jo

[eucera]

The tiny bee is a species of Lasioglossum, and, unfortunately, it is not possible to identify this one from a pic. It IS a female though, as it has a good sized pollen load on board

[Miss Caretaker]

Thanks for the i.d on the bee, there were two of them at one point so I'll look them up, thanks again,
Jo

[Geoff F]

Somehow, I suspect that we aren't going to get very far with these photos.

The hoverfly is a Sphaerophoria species female. But we can't really go any further.

[Miss Caretaker]

Thanks Geoff, I have 2 more pics of the hoverfly and about 5 more of the bee in various poses if they would be of assistance? I know identifying some insects from photos is impossible regardless of how many there are but I'll upload them if it may be of use; just give me a shout.
Jo

[Geoff F]

With both species, it is a microscope job to get any further.

And it also takes an experienced person on the other end of the microscope! Which definitely lets me out.

[Jason Green]

Evening Jo,

Yes, as Geoff says - a female Sphaerophoria species - unidentifiable (males usually need genital examination, except for S. scripta, usually).

Take care,

Jason