Another new hoverfly for me

[peterbolson]

And another difficult genus
From the shape of the hairy face and the wing venation I think it belongs to the Pipiza genus, From the shape of the hind femur I think it could be P.austriaca.
Found on hogweed along a river, WL 8mm.
Peter

[Geoff F]

Well I also keyed out as Pipiza.

I think the chief first stage is to decide on the shape of the hind femur. From the photos, I am uncertain about the end being sufficiently widened to be P. austriaca. But that could change when viewed from a better angle. Compare with page 154.

If it isn't P. austriaca, I end up with either P. noctiluca or an unspotted form of P. fenestrata. But the antennae appear to be a touch on the pale side for P. noctiluca and P. fenestrata males have rather greyish hair on the face.

The paler areas on legs I & II would possibly fit better for P. fenestrata though.

And with 6 recognised variations of P. noctiluca and spotted/unspotted forms of P. fenestrata it certainly looks like another complicated family history!

[peterbolson]

Hello Geoff
I agree - I too was worried about the angle we were looking at the femur. Here's another shot. What do you think now ?
Peter

[Geoff F]

There certainly appears to be some rather square edged ridges on the underside of the hind femur similar to P. austriaca.

And from that angle the paler area of the legs looks reduced and a better fit For P. austriaca.

[peterbolson]

Hi Geoff
The ridges are much easier to see with the microscsope. I'm getting an attachment so that I can take images through the microscope, which should mean I can post clearer photos of these finer points.
Peter