Must be Eupeodes luniger but . . .

[Geoff F]

We often have discussions here about the identification of Eupeodes species but this one seems to 'fall between the two camps'.



The Y shaped extension to the frons means that it must be Eupeodes luniger (unless I have missed something) but those abdomen spots definitely touch the abdomen edge, although rather narrowly at the extreme top outer edge.

[JRsbugs]

I had one like this Geoff. I think if the spots are reaching the sides as they obviously do, then it's E. corollae. Other pointers are the scutellum hairs, in luniger they are predominantly black. In corollae typically yellow but can have some black hairs.

The keys do mention though in the couplet before the final one, spots do not reach the side margin, or at most at their extreme front end... however there is another species in the final couplet of van Veen.

[Geoff F]

Thanks for that Janet.

I've had E. corollae with a short broad forward extension to the frons, which can be slightly bilobed, but nothing like this clear Y shape.

And I don't think any of the Eupeodes oddities like E. bucculatus or forms B or C are suitable candidates either.

So I suspect this will have to remain on the undecided list, unless Roger can give a definite decision.

I've got a couple of other uncertainties in that list, including a recent probable Chalcosyrphus nemorum, which need a bit more thought.