Hoverfly anyone?

jezlee · #1 (**permalink**) 08-08-2010, 02:02 PM

Hello all - can anyone point me in the right direction with this one please?

JRsbugs · #2 (**permalink**) 08-08-2010, 02:20 PM

Not absolutely certain here, but it might be a Cheilosia sp. (female). There's a lot of them!

Geoff has all the details in his book so he might be able to help more.

I found a good site which might help (from someone on diptera.info) but remember you need often to see (and recognise) distingusighing features for many of these so it's not as easy as one might wish.

GENRES DIPTERA SYRPHIDAE

Janet

jezlee · #3 (**permalink**) 08-08-2010, 03:10 PM

Thanks, Janet - I've had a bit of a search and come up with a possibility: Cheilosia vulpina? I'm sure someone will be along later to tell me why it can't be ...

JRsbugs · #4 (**permalink**) 08-08-2010, 03:20 PM

Actually Cheilosia vulpina looks a good bet, at least from the rear view!

If Nigel Jones' pics can't be trusted, then no-one's can.

Jason Green · #5 (**permalink**) 08-08-2010, 03:27 PM

Afternoon Jez,

Could be, I had been thinking of a Pipiza species. Maybe Roger Morris will see this!

Take care,

Jason

Geoff F · #6 (**permalink**) 08-08-2010, 08:18 PM

At the moment, I'm a bit undecided on this specimen.

Optically, C. vulpina does look promising; but that species falls into the C. Variabilis grouping which have very noticeable stiff erect hairs on the face, particularly around the knob. This specimen appears to lack these, although general wear and tear can rub them somewhat; and the frons is quite hairy.

Otherwise, it keys out as C. proxima. But this species isn't illustrated and I don't have any personal knowledge of it, however the description sounds possible.

So I would suggest checking out this species to see if it might fit optically.

Does Janet have any information here?

JRsbugs · #7 (**permalink**) 08-08-2010, 08:27 PM

If timing is anything to go by I have one which I thought was C. proxima!

The leg colouring does look much the same, but the hairs on mine are golden.

I put mine on Diptera.info but no-one's replied yet. I see you've put yours on too Jez.

JRsbugs · #8 (**permalink**) 08-08-2010, 08:35 PM

One thing I noticed about C. proxima is the long bristles sticking out from the posterior end of the scuttelum. I can't see those in Jez's pics.

http://diptera.info/forum/viewthread...hread_id=32349

http://diptera.info/photogallery.php?photo_id=1906

Mine is missing a hind leg on the side I got most pics of, one showing the face more is a bit blurry but the leg is there.

(the links don't work for some reason!)

Geoff F · #9 (**permalink**) 08-08-2010, 09:13 PM

Double click on Jez's side view shot to see the full size image, Janet.

The long scuttellum hairs are rather grey and a bit tatty but they are there.

Stubbs says C. proxima is very variable and the first brood are more hairy than the summer specimens. But that also applies to C. vulpina.

C. vulpina also has rather long scuttellum bristles.

So, to be honest, I don't really know what to say here. C. proxima is slightly smaller and has a well pronounced knob, if that helps. Otherwise it is down to the presence of those erect face hairs on vulpina but not proxima.

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

Lol, I usually do double click but didn't this time.

I can see the bristles on the scuttellum, but they don't look as pronounced as on mine nor as plentiful.

The facial knob does look quite pronounced, but how that compares with C. vulpina I don't know. There are some face proifles on the site above I linked to.

I'm waiting for someone on diptera.info who seems to know their syrphids, they will say if they can be identified or not but it's a good exercise anyway.

Great shots too Jez!