Fly identification please

AlphaZeroOne · #1 (**permalink**) 06-04-2011, 09:23 AM

My first macro photo of the year. Didn't realise how difficult some insects can be to identify. Think that this fly might belong to the same family as the house fly but would really appreciate it if someone could provide a positive ID and also some tips on how to go about identifying insects in general. Many thanks.

Jason Green · #2 (**permalink**) 06-04-2011, 09:45 AM

Morning A01,

It's a Pollenia sp., some kind of Cluster-fly.

Take care,

Jason

Anzu · #3 (**permalink**) 06-04-2011, 09:50 AM

I must stress I'm not a fly expert, I just enjoy identifying bugs lol.

I think it might be a cluster fly, these have a yellowish sheen on their abdomen with a chequered pattern and may have golden hairs on the thorax. They also lay their wings flat over their body like that when they rest.

oxycera · #4 (**permalink**) 06-04-2011, 04:20 PM

On the last point re. identifying insects in general, just carry on taking photos, look at photos, use websites, ask advice etc etc.

If you want to identify insects entomologically, so to speak, you'll need to collect, dissect (with binocular microscope), use keys, handbooks, join societies etc etc.

The former method will give you a good hobby.
The second method a lifetime of pleasure but it needs lots of time and commitment too.

AlphaZeroOne · #5 (**permalink**) 07-04-2011, 05:22 PM

Hi all. Thanks very much for your (rapid) replies. Much appreciated. Been reading up on these critters - seem to have an interesting life cycle.

oxycera - I will certainly be taking more shots. Any advice on the best way of catching hover-flies on the wing?

Thanks again.

oxycera · #6 (**permalink**) 07-04-2011, 07:06 PM

[QUOTE

oxycera - I will certainly be taking more shots. Any advice on the best way of catching hover-flies on the wing?
.[/quote]

You need a net, of course. But here's a tip - I once knew a syrphidologist who used to carry with him into the field a bunch of flowers, dandelions or something similar, just in case there were none around growing naturally.
He carried them in a plastic pipe and was known as the 'Brackenbury lure'!

Rexer · #7 (**permalink**) 07-04-2011, 10:52 PM

Nice shot

AlphaZeroOne · #8 (**permalink**) 08-04-2011, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oxycera

[QUOTE

You need a net, of course. But here's a tip - I once knew a syrphidologist who used to carry with him into the field a bunch of flowers, dandelions or something similar, just in case there were none around growing naturally.
He carried them in a plastic pipe and was known as the 'Brackenbury lure'!

Hi Oxycera - thanks for the tip. My question was more about if anyone had some general tips on what camera settings that they might suggest to try to photograph these flies on the wing. I have tried several times and failed miserably - they are so fast and seem to fly about quite erratically.