Helophilus pendulus, or something else?

Dillybythesea · #1 (**permalink**) 04-07-2011, 04:57 PM

This hoverfly today sounded different to the usual ones around our pond, but didn't let me get close enough for any good shots. I'm wondering if it's something unusual, or not well, or just irritated!

Anomalous · #2 (**permalink**) 04-07-2011, 05:20 PM

Hi

Helophilus trivittatus

The face lacking a dark stripe, the black on the tergites meeting the rear edge of the tergite, and the bright, lemony-yellow 'spots'...all these point to trivittatus, which is a far more uncommon species.

Nice!

Ian

Dillybythesea · #3 (**permalink**) 04-07-2011, 05:29 PM

Hi Ian! Thank you for the ID, and all the tips! SO helpful to know. Appreciated!

Geoff F · #4 (**permalink**) 04-07-2011, 07:00 PM

H. trivittatus are supposed to prefer damper locations; but I'm not sure if this is totally factual. I have found them in my garden.

Some days I find that most species are a bit 'flighty'. Windy weather for instance. And other larger insects, like butterflies, flitting around can also make them nervous.

Dillybythesea · #5 (**permalink**) 04-07-2011, 09:03 PM

Interesting, Geoff F! This individual today was definitely checking out our pond - and even alighted on a patch of floating blanket weed - so, for us, damp seemed to be the draw. And nothing much else seemed to be about, so I'm sure I was the problem. If I see it again, I'll try not moving around so much!