snipe fly?

[beech]

The closest I can get in my book is a Snipe fly, is this correct?


Thanks

[JRsbugs]

Yes, Rhagionidae. See if you can get any closer by following the key.

http://home.hccnet.nl/mp.van.veen/KE...agionidae.html

Janet

[beech]

Thanks for the ID JR will give it a go with the key

[beech]

From the family name Rhagionidae, I think from photos this individiual is Rhagio vitripennis. Does the anal cell closed/open photo shown refer to the transparency of this segment of the wing?


Thanks

[Jason Green]

Afternoon B,

The anal cell in your photograph is open. This relates to veins A1 and A2, and whether they converge and join as they approach the wing-margin (closed-cell), or join separately (open-cell).

I think this may have to be a case of waiting until someone comes along on this thread and recognises your individual - not all points can be checked on this (any?) photograph. The van-Veen key here lacks the common Chrysopilus cristatus for some reason. Much better, wait until Alan Stubbs renews the British key, next year I think, called 'British Soldierflies and their Allies' which includes a chapter on them.

Take care,

Jason

[JRsbugs]

Originally Posted by beech

From the family name Rhagionidae, I think from photos this individiual is Rhagio vitripennis. Does the anal cell closed/open photo shown refer to the transparency of this segment of the wing?


Thanks

This shows how difficult these can be! If you look at the diagram shown before you go to the genus page, it shows the cell and if you look at the wing edge you can see the two veins don't meet before they reach the edge, so it is open.

It is Rhagio, if you follow the option 1a for Rhagio that would take you to R. vitripennis. The next step is to check if we have that species on the dipteristsforum, it's not listed so we need to take the other route, 1b. (as a side note we do have some species not listed but it's best to assume it's one on the list). Using this page search for Rhagio, then click on a link which give the genus and then you should get the species, but it's not always so simple and at times you might need to click on one species to be able to select the genus in the top section..

The Society for the study of flies (Diptera)

Option 1b takes me to 6b > 8a > 9b > 11a (we don't have R. montanus) > 12a > 13a which is Rhagio conspicuus. 13b is R. vitripennis which we don't (supposedly) have.

A search on google, or NBN Gateway which it will bring up confirms that this is a snonym for Rhagio tringarius which we do have.

NBN Gateway - interactive species mapper

A further check on diptera.info to see if it compares well...

Well, surprise surprise, most of those have a lot of yellow on the scutellum... BUT there's one which doesn't.. the person who identified the fly is 100% reliable.

Diptera.info - Photo Albums: Rhagionidae

Diptera.info - Photo Albums: Rhagio tringarius (female) (3)

These are very difficult and very variable.. but it seems to key out!

[beech]

Thanks Jason and JR . I have to admit that I would need to look at the key in a lot more detail and understand exactly what I was looking for before even beginning to make an ID. I looked at the pic JR and said well that looks about right. Its very difficult identifying insects but they are, when you really start to look they are complex, varied and well worth the effort to observe

Thanks again

While I am on this was big and I have ID it as a Hornet?

[Jason Green]

Looks too small for that - it's a Vespula species.

[JRsbugs]

The wasp is Vespula germanica.

I thought it was a good idea to get you to at least look at a key beech, then you will start to realise what is involved. For a start keys seem scary but it's a good to try to use them, you will then have to search out what all the terminology is.. a good way to learn!

[beech]

Thanks for the ID of the wasp Jason and JR . Can you suggest a book with good keys and pics mostly for wasps and bees ?

Took the following pics, the first 2 are I believe the hoverfly Volucella Bombylans in two different mimic forms








The next I think could be the hoverfly Merodan Equestris a carder mimic




The next 2 pics I think could be the bee Andrena haemorrhoa though my book states they are solitary yet I saw many together but realise that this refers to there breeding cycle





This one I thought could be a sawfly possibly T arcuata






and finally an Ichneumon which by reading up on is likely to be one of a large number of similar species and is unlikely to be identified from this pic



?

Am I anywhere near with any of these?

Thanks