3 hoverflies and a beetle for id please

[laetoli]

1.2.3.
4.

Please would some kind soul identify these for me. I thought #1 might be some sort of Eristalis but it's different to the E. tanax you've already identified for me. They're nothing like #2 or #3 in my increasingly disappointing insect book though #3 might not even be a hoverfly at all. There's also nothing in the insect pages at all like #4. I've got loads more shots many from all sorts of angles for all but #3.

Thanks ,
Paul

[oxycera]

3. is a hoverfly, one of the Pipizini.
Beetle is some sort of Bruchus, or similar.

[Klaas Reißmann]

Good morning,

identification of Bruchus by a photo is very difficult. all I can see let me guess it is Bruchus rufimanus, one of the bigger species of this genus, at a size of 3 to 5 mm. But I can't tell, if this is right. Maybe B. rufimanus does not occur in the UK.

Regards
Klaas

[oxycera]

Originally Posted by Klaas Reißmann

Good morning,

Maybe B. rufimanus does not occur in the uk

It's quite common, I think.

[laetoli]

Thanks Klaas, John.
Nobody fancy a try at hoverfly #2. I can't find anything like it on the net.
Thanks again,
Paul

[oxycera]

Looks like a female Platycheirus, maybe scutatus or something similar. You ought to get a response from a number of WABBERS who like to try and figure out photos like this to species level.

[JRsbugs]

#1 Eristalis arbustorum male
#2 Platycheirus scutatus female I would agree, the spots are correct shape and there is dusting above the antennae visible.

Haven't a clue what #3 is! But, the eyes remind me of Eumerus so I might get back to that later and take a better look.

Janet

[laetoli]

Thanks Janet, John.

This really makes a big difference - I always try to id the animals for myself and often to my own satisfaction and then only post those that have me really stumped. So it's very kind of all you experts to lend a little of your extensive knowledge.

Thanks again,
Paul

[oxycera]

The non re-entrant upper outer crossvein rather rules out Eumerus.

[Geoff F]

My guess for #3 would also be Pipizella based on the rather long third antenna segment and that little 'squiggle' in the wing cross vein.

And if I am really daring; the rather glossy, brassy look makes me strongly consider P virens. Do we have a location? This tends to be more of a middle to northern species.

But we will never get a certain identification from that photo.