And another new hoverfly for me

peterbolson · #1 (**permalink**) 12-07-2010, 10:25 PM

This will be the 40th species I have found this year on a short walk from the back of my house along a wooded path by a river. This was on hogweed, 7mm WL. I wondered if it was Orthonevra nobilis.
These are preliminary photos as I'm sure Geoff will want more information with such a difficult one

Peter

JRsbugs · #2 (**permalink**) 12-07-2010, 11:16 PM

You have a male, it could be Riponnensia splendens by the features I can see. Look at this thread and all will be revealed.

Diptera.info - Discussion Forum: Lejogaster metallina and Riponnensia splendens

Janet

peterbolson · #3 (**permalink**) 13-07-2010, 08:12 AM

You are absolutely right Janet. In fact I posted one on HRS only 3 weeks ago & made exactly the same mistake, which is rather embarassing. Comparing the photos they look almost identical ! I must be getting senile.
Peter

JRsbugs · #4 (**permalink**) 13-07-2010, 12:49 PM

Give yourself more time Peter, trying to learn about thousands of flies in a short period isn't easy! Eventually they will fall into place more easily.

Or, maybe you've got something there about senility.

This hobby tends to have that effect.

Geoff F · #5 (**permalink**) 13-07-2010, 02:03 PM

The trouble with this family (Orthonevra/Riponnensia) is that the amount of 'greeness' can vary between individuals and male/female.

I nearly walked past a very green female earlier this year thinking it was 'just another Dolichopus'.

But those stripes on the thorax are somewhat distinctive; along with the broad white dust band on the face.

The only other thought which I had, after consulting the keys, is that the slight darkening of the wing and rather elongate third antennae segment was also similar to Orthonevra nobilis. But that is a smaller species with wing length below 6 mm.

Check previous records for R. splendens in your area as although it has been recorded in Scotland it is more of a Southern/Midlands species.