[ID] Hoverfly

[Jason Green]

As below.

[JRsbugs]

Taken my message to the correct thread..

[Jason Green]

Originally Posted by JRsbugs

Not really Jason, it depends on whether much of the abdomen can be seen and whether it's showing the true colours.

I mean when handling specimens, of course!

Originally Posted by JRsbugs

The impression I have been given by more than one person, including an expert on syrphids, is that the tibia should be red in rostrata but that doesn't seem to be the case!

Which is why you shouldn't limit your identification criteria to tit-bits you pick-up on scattered about the 'Net. Get keys.

Originally Posted by JRsbugs

it states red for both in the final species account for each.

Right... so back to the abdominal colouration then, as I said.

[JRsbugs]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Which is why you shouldn't limit your identification criteria to tit-bits you pick-up on scattered about the 'Net. Get keys.

You are talking about people on this site who have previously been respected for their knowledge.. and a person on diptera.info who specialises in syrphids.. so I would not call it tit-bits!

If anyone has picked up tit-bits Jason, look closer to home.

[Jason Green]

I'm not denouncing tit-bits, just the way in which they are used. Identifications are most reliable when used in combination, the way dichotomous keys are worked.

Originally Posted by JRsbugs

If anyone has picked up tit-bits Jason, look closer to home.

An example?

Goodnight

[JRsbugs]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

An example?

I'm afraid I don't have enough years left in my life to dedicate to that.

[Geoff F]

Would you believe it. Today I have taken a photo of a possible R. rostrata.

As yet, I haven't edited the image and done a full examination of details.

But apparently, no black abdomen edge although there are fine black lines (hairs?) across the body on the rear tergite edges; snout seems a bit short; femora are all orange (red); tibiae are slightly dark though. Not exactly black but a little darker than the femora.

Taken at the exact same spot where I found one last year, and confirmed by Roger Morris.

The Stubbs keys only mention the black abdomen edge. The black or black ringed tibiae particularly the hind leg is only a mention in the description text.

I will try to edit these photos later; and perhaps it would be best to start a fresh thread with them.

ps. quite a good day. Started with Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries in the car park and ended with a couple of Chrysotoxum elegans (m&F) plus a few interesting additions which I will have to examine. So other questions may be coming.

[Fauna]

I had my eye in on these again yesterday. Saw them in fair numbers and easily approachable, all where feeding on Meadow Thistle. Forgot to check them over for possible R. rostrata...will have to look more carefully next time.

Regards Chris...