Hover flies ID please

[Janenat]

Hello, caught a few different ones this weekend (no syrphus!) Think the first 3 are Eristalis sp. Think 4th one might be Platychierus, no idea last one?!
Many thanks
Jane
1
2
3
4
5

[Jason Green]

Afternoon Jane,

The first is probably Eristalis tenax then an Ichneumon wasp (unidentifiable from a photo - you need a specimen), possibly another E. tenax, a Melanostoma sp. and lastly the European Honeybee Apis mellifera - though E. tenax/pertinax is a known mimic, so very similar-looking!

Take care,

Jason

[Janenat]

Thanks for that, looks like I clicked on the wrong photo for 2
should have been:


Sorry what was the little one - 4?
Jane

[JRsbugs]

#4 you need to have a better view of the frons, but the shapes on the abdomen fit Melanostoma scalare better than M. mellinum.

#2 is not showing enough detail.

#3 is Eristalis tenax female, all dark hind legs which are 'inflated'

Your other Eristalis are probably E. tenax too but that can't be said for certain.

Janet

[Janenat]

Excellent thank you

Jane