Ichneumons and a hoverfly for ID please

[Miss Caretaker]

Hi, I saw these whilst walking my butterfly transect today (Basingstoke) and can't identify them. They made up for the lack of butterflies, anyway!

1.

2. This was quite large and had me trailing though brambles trying to get a shot! This was the only one I managed. The best match I can find is Amblyteles armatorius


3. I thought the wings would make it esier to ID but I'm stumped!


4. At least I think it's a hover; I didn't see it take off or fly so..


Thanks, Jo

[Jason Green]

Evening Jo,

The first is an Ichneumon Wasp as you rightly say - but apart from colours I wouldn't like to go to species as the important bits are too small to see in a photograph (one being the spiracles on the tergites, and whether they are positioned centrally or to the front of each!). Personally I'll have to re-iterate for the second - these are a minefield!

The third is a Conopid and probably Physocephala rufipes, the Hoverfly being Dasysyrphus tricinctus.

Take care,

Jason

[Miss Caretaker]

Cheers, Jason! I thought the first two wouldn't be photo jobs, but it's alwys worth a try
Jo

[Jason Green]

It can happen! They still make nice photos either way

[Roger Morris]

Hello

Could we have the data for Dasysyrphus tricinctus for the recording scheme please?

Date, Grid Ref, Location, Recorder

Regards

Roger