Yesterday's hoverflies

[Dillybythesea]

Despite the weather there seemed quite a few around yesterday and I attempted a day's log. I'm busy trying to label as many as are possible, although I'm sure you'll say several aren't. The first I'm hoping is Volucella zonaria (Geoff added some useful tips about this when I had Volucella inanis the other day, and I'm seeing orange on the first segment , yellow on wing edge and only one black smudge near the tip?)
Then Syritta pipiens, with a red mark on the hind femur

Episyrphus balteatus, even though I haven't seen any of these for a week or two, after loads a bit back

I suppose this is just Sphaerophoria sp

This female I'm confused about because I was thinking Syrphus ribesii but I think the hind femora are wrong for that

And lastly several of these which are in the drive not the garden and are where I have previously had Melanostoma mellinum and I'm hoping you'll say there's enough to say that again, even though they're dreadful shots?!

Thanks for any help!

[JRsbugs]

The reddish thorax indicates Volucella zonaria, V. inanis usually has a blackish thorax. The hind margin T4 of inanis if often black also, but the defining character is the colour of sternite 2. V. zonaria S2 is black with yellow hind margin, V. inanis is yellow.

Syritta pipiens female, correct.

Episyrphus balteatus female, correct.

Sphaerophoria sp. female, correct.

Syrphus ribesii females have all yellow hind femora, or with just the base black. Judging from the tail end this looks like a female, so will be either S. vitripennis or torvus, S. rectus is less likely.

Melanostoma mellinum male is correct, the face is black but also the spots on the tergites large and squarish blending into the sides. M. scalare males have a narrow abdomen with long, narrow spots which usually join the sides at the top edge but this can vary a little. M. scalare has a dusted face but the angle of the eyes is also different.

[Dillybythesea]

That's a great reply Janet, with loads of helpful points attached - all of which I shall squirrel away in my ever-lengthening Flies doc! As ever I'm very grateful! Thank you - Rhona