Hover flies for ID please

[Janenat]

Hello

I think the attached are:
1 - Sphaerophoria scripta

I think 2 & 3 are Eristalis species but the eyes are quite different?

Many thanks
Jane

[Jason Green]

Evening Jane,

The first looks like Sphaerophoria scripta, yes - continuous yellow thorasic band and short wings.

The second is Eristalis pertinax and the third another species of Eristalis - the second is male, the third female hence the different eye-appearance which you picked-up on.

Take care,

Jason

[Geoff F]

Just going by the hind leg colouration, I wonder if the last one could be E. rupium.

[JRsbugs]

#2 Eristalis tenax male, you can see the two rows of hairs on the eyes.

#3 Eristalis tenax female, the hind leg on the right is dark and they are inflated. Front tarsi black.

Janet

[Geoff F]

But the left hand hind leg appears to have a pale upper tarsus.

It all appears rather odd to me, so I'm not really sure which is correct.

[JRsbugs]

If you look at other pics you will see some yellow on the edges, that left leg does look yellow yes but it could be on a twist, and/or be covered in yellow pollen.

The inflated leg can be seen which is one of the traits on E. tenax. The general chunky appearance of the thorax is also typical.

[Janenat]

Excellent - thanks all

Jane

[Geoff F]

Yes, Janet, I did wonder if that leg was at an odd angle, or was actually the 'wrong leg' but I can't really make a lot of sense from it from any angle.

I suspect it may be just one of those strange unexplained things.

[Roger Morris]

Can we have the data for the recording scheme please?

Date, Grid ref, Locality, Recorder

Regards

Roger

[Janenat]

Do I just reply here with data or is there a specific site like the ladybirds?

In case it's here:

Photos taken 30.8.10
Exeter garden EX2 5JG - sorry don't have grid ref.
Recorder - Camera? - Olympus SP350

Let me know if that's not Ok

Jane