2 Hoverflies for I.D.

[shenk1]

Any ideas for these 2 from the garden please?


Cheers,shenk1

[Jason Green]

Afternoon Shenk,

The first is Eupeodes luniger, second Syritta pipiens - both female.

Take care,

Jason

[shenk1]

Thanks a lot Jason - again

I'll get the hang of these little ............if it kills me

[Geoff F]

The simplest answer is to grit your teeth and fork up £40 for the book!

There will still be a lot of reading to do but it is, eventually, the only way to fully understand a diverse and variable species like hoverflies.

[shenk1]

Must admit my Collins Complete guide isn't very complete especially with all the different features you have to take into account when trying to ID something.
Since buying a macro (thats when the trouble starts) I'm amazed at the different markings from one insect to the next when ,with your bare (untrained) eyes ,they all look the same.What looks like a little black fly can very often be gold,green or any other colour and as beautifully marked as any exotic bird
Looks like I'll have to start saving the pennies or try being nice to the missus

Cheers,shenk1

[Geoff F]

The Hoverfly Recording Scheme are planning some new books soon, a basic one and an advanced version, but I am not sure when publication is planned.

The trouble with trying to ID without a good reference book is that there are so many virtually identical species.

For example, I was trying to identify an Eristalis species today and just couldn't get everything to fall into place. A quick reread of the ID keys reminded me that I needed to decide between two alternative forms of tiny dots on the wing.

But yes, macro photography soon gets expensive. Once you are capable of identifying them you find that you need a better camera and lens to capture all the fine detail; and then . . .

[shenk1]

I'll pass you on to the missus to persuade her when the time comes
I've already found out how addictive it is,I just wander round the garden for ages (its only a little 'un but theres a lot in and around it) just looking for something to photograph.

So next its the tripod(carbon fibre of course),ring flash,extension tubes,180mm macro...............I hear the sound of knives being sharpened

[diggleken]

Evening Geoff, as you probably realise, I quite like my hoverflies too - but like shenk my books just cant scope all the possibilities, so it would be useful if you know any publication dates to let us (me!) know if you can.
Or indeed any current books that do the job - I do have a big birthday coming up later this year......................!
Cheers
Ken

[Geoff F]

The standard hoverfly tome is British Hoverflies by Stubbs and Falk.

Make sure you get the latest 2002 edition. Widely available for around £40 although I think it is slightly cheaper if you join the British Entomological and Natural History Society.

Sounds expensive but there are approx 500 pages in a hard cover; although my copy is getting a bit well thumbed by now.

Contains extensive ID keys, descriptions and illustrations of all UK species plus some migrants.

[diggleken]

Thanks Geoff, £30 plus postage will cover it, now to drop some hints..........
Cheers
Ken