Hoverfly - Epistophe elegans ?

Lord V · #1 (**permalink**) 26-03-2011, 07:27 AM

Pretty certain this is Epistophe elegans - first one I've seen this year.

Brian v.

JRsbugs · #2 (**permalink**) 26-03-2011, 02:56 PM

Hi Brian, looks good! My first last year was on 18th April, the warm spell is bringing them out early!

Janet

Lord V · #3 (**permalink**) 26-03-2011, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRsbugs

Hi Brian, looks good! My first last year was on 18th April, the warm spell is bringing them out early!

Janet

Thanks janet

Brian v.

Geoff F · #4 (**permalink**) 26-03-2011, 07:41 PM

I had better check out some suitable locations next week.

A week ago, there wasn't any activity but that was still very early; although I am seeing Eristalis tenax and pertinax regularly plus some early Episyrphus balteatus. My first E. eligans last year was 15 th April, but in a sheltered south coast location.

Have also recently seen what looked like Platycheirus albimanus but it didn't wait to say hello. A Syrphus male, probably ribesii, and a brief glimpse of what appeared like a Eupeodes but it does sound rather early so I'm sceptical of what it really was.

Lord V · #5 (**permalink**) 27-03-2011, 07:36 AM

Seem to have missed out an R everywhere- should be Epistrophe

Geoff - beginning to see quite a few species now after what was a slow start for here (I normally see hovers about all year). Oddly some of the later appearing species seem to be a bit early - saw a newly hatched Myathropa the other day as well as this Epistrophe - both earlier than previous years.

Brian v.