Hoverfly totally confusing me

Geoff F · #1 (**permalink**) 15-07-2010, 07:08 PM

On a 'curry plant' in my S. Devon garden.

I was photographing Syritta pipiens and, at the time, thought this was just another one.

But after seeing it on the screen I am lost for an ID. I just can't match the face shape, colours (face, legs, scuttellum, abdomen) and wing outer cross vein shape.

So far, I haven't even decided on the family as my ID keys keep grinding to a halt. To me, it appears like a cross between Syrphini and Cheilosiini.

I feel that it is probably just me missing something obvious with another of my ID ten T phases!

So can another pair of eyes see something simple which I am missing here?

shenk1 · #2 (**permalink**) 15-07-2010, 07:16 PM

If it's confusing you ,God help the rest of us

Seeing as you have helped me with loads I will go with......are you ready for a complete novice with his Collins Complete Insects book to give his opinion......

Scaeva pyrastri.

shenk1

Jason Green · #3 (**permalink**) 15-07-2010, 07:33 PM

Evening Geoff,

I'd say it's a Eupeodes sp., such as E. corollae. She appears to be a little on the slim-side though... probably distorting visual cues slightly.

Take care,

Jason

pressld2 · #4 (**permalink**) 15-07-2010, 07:34 PM

Snap Shenk!

Same conclusion from the same source.

Dave P.

shenk1 · #5 (**permalink**) 15-07-2010, 07:35 PM

Well they're not even in my book

Glad to see someone agrees with me -and has the same book supplier!

Geoff F · #6 (**permalink**) 15-07-2010, 08:27 PM

A Scaeva pyrastri was flying around the garden today; but possibly with my photo, the abdomen spots don't appear to be sufficiently 'pinched' in the middle and the scuttellum is quite yellowish. It is also, probably, a bit on the small side.

Now, Eupeodes (Lapposyrphus) is an idea to consider although wing vein R 4+5 is maybe a bit shallow. But I suppose that could be an illusion.

If nobody suggests that senility has made me overlook the obvious, I may ask for an opinion on the Hoverfly Recording Scheme site.

So thanks for the suggestions.

Dogghound · #7 (**permalink**) 15-07-2010, 08:35 PM

Eupeodes corollae

JRsbugs · #8 (**permalink**) 15-07-2010, 08:41 PM

I'm fairly sure it's Eupeodes luniger female. The spots don't look to quite reach the sides, besides E. corollae females tend to have chunkier spots which are well welded to the sides.

Janet

Dogghound · #9 (**permalink**) 15-07-2010, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRsbugs

I'm fairly sure it's Eupeodes luniger female. The spots don't look to quite reach the sides, besides E. corollae females tend to have chunkier spots which are well welded to the sides.

Janet

But they touch the side margin? In E.luniger they are distinctly short of it.

JRsbugs · #10 (**permalink**) 15-07-2010, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogghound

But they touch the side margin? In E.luniger they are distinctly short of it.

If you click on the pic again to enlarge it more I think you will see the spots fall a little short of the margin. E. luniger usually, in my experience, has flat edges to the spots at the margin side.

E. corollae often has a splodge of yellow at the margin, or a longer thin strip joining to the margin where the spots are not so chunky. I can upload some examples to compare.