Hoverfly ID

sebastianbawn · #1 (**permalink**) 29-09-2011, 06:18 PM

Taken in Bristol last weekend, don't know the species but guess it is a female?

Geoff F · #2 (**permalink**) 29-09-2011, 06:24 PM

Yes Sphaerophoria sp. female. Females can't be fully identified from photos.

Incidentally, I was just noting on another answer that I haven't seen any Sphaerophoria for a month.

sebastianbawn · #3 (**permalink**) 29-09-2011, 06:32 PM

Thanks Geoff. I remember a while back someone told me a 'loose' rule for hoverfly sexing is the eyes - Far apart = Female, and Close together = Chap! Apologies to who told me this, I do have it written down somewhere

Well at least I have a genus for this little beauty!

Jason Green · #4 (**permalink**) 29-09-2011, 06:40 PM

...was me!

sebastianbawn · #5 (**permalink**) 29-09-2011, 07:00 PM

Apologies Jason, I knew it was someone with a great mind

That's always stuck with me, really does help!

Geoff F · #6 (**permalink**) 29-09-2011, 07:40 PM

The only time that isn't too clear is with a few species where both sexes have widely spaced eyes but the males have straight sides while females widen towards the front.

Helophilus is a typical example.

sebastianbawn · #7 (**permalink**) 29-09-2011, 07:46 PM

Thanks Geoff I will bear this in mind

Dillybythesea · #8 (**permalink**) 30-09-2011, 09:58 AM

Yes, thanks from me, too, Geoff. Having googled images of Helophilus pendulus I would definitely have been caught out with that! I've made a note to remember (fat chance) it looks as though the female has a dark triangle on the frons (from a mating pic!).