One known, two to go?

[Hedera]

Pretty sure this is Scaeva pyrastri (!):

But don't know these:

[Jason Green]

Afternoon Hed,

Yes, the first is pyrastri - on a personal note, what little stunners, these are! The second is probably Syrphus ribesii (I think S. rectus is doubtful, really - not one I'd consider!) and the last is Eristalis sp. - needs a side-shot.

Take care,

Jason

[Dogghound]

1. Scaeva pyrastri
2. Syrphus ribesii
3. Eristalis tenax

[loripo]

Scaeva pyrastri - Have just found this thread vie Google! Saw a few of these today, but didn't manage a photo. Very distinctive aren't they?

[Dogghound]

Care must be taken to distinguish them from Scaeva selenitica, which are very similar.

[loripo]

I would describe those I saw as black and white, rather than black and pale yellow, which made me take a closer look.

[Dogghound]

S.selenitica has inner ends of abdominal markings at about the same level at the outer ends. In S.scaeva inner ends of these markings are positioned higher than the outer edge more towards the thorax.

[loripo]

Yes I see what you mean from Hedera's photo above. I'll see if they are around tomorrow and have another look.

[Jason Green]

If you remember it being white (quite strikingly contrasting, esp. in hoverflies that are usually black/yellow in similar-looking species) then I'm sure it was, - pyrastri

They've had a good year; in the last three weeks or so I've seen them on about seven occasions - never having seen them before in three years of actively-seeking invertebrates.

[Dogghound]

About 2 months ago I found loads along a stretch of coastline im sure alot of these were migrants.