Hoverfly for Id

rowanalder · #1 (**permalink**) 11-10-2011, 12:47 PM

Hi everyone,

Found this Hoverfly the other day, can anyone help with the Id?

Cheers,

Ro

Geoff F · #2 (**permalink**) 11-10-2011, 06:50 PM

The wing vein points to Eristalis and the apparent slight wing darkening plus possible all black hind leg would make me consider E. tenax.

But we really need to see some general shots and a face view to be certain.

Leg colours would also help.

Jason Green · #3 (**permalink**) 11-10-2011, 11:49 PM

If that's an uneven layer of hairs on the eyes forming two-ish lines, then yes I'd too go with tenax.

rowanalder · #4 (**permalink**) 12-10-2011, 07:00 PM

Thanks for the info guys, hopefully these pics will be able to confirm it.

Cheers,

Ro

Geoff F · #5 (**permalink**) 12-10-2011, 07:56 PM

That looks typical E. tenax to me.

The 'banding of hair colour' on the eyes, to which Jason referred, can be quite variable depending on the light and angle of view. Sometimes it is distinctive but often it doesn't show clearly.

Jason Green · #6 (**permalink**) 12-10-2011, 09:40 PM

Yes, tenax.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoff F

That looks typical E. tenax to me.

The 'banding of hair colour' on the eyes, to which Jason referred, can be quite variable depending on the light and angle of view. Sometimes it is distinctive but often it doesn't show clearly.

Quite, quite - often in photos you may see it as the eye having both a greenish and reddish hue. Anyone know what I mean there?

Geoff F · #7 (**permalink**) 13-10-2011, 07:58 PM

Somewhere, I have a photo which shows this quite clearly. But I just can't find it now, probably amongst my images from about 3 years ago.

rowanalder · #8 (**permalink**) 14-10-2011, 03:53 PM

Hi guys,

Thanks for identification of this chap. It does have all black hind legs sorry about the photo taken from one front legs, misread what you asked for there Geoff. I can see a little dark red coloration on the eye, will have to take another look down the microscope.

Cheers,

Ro

Geoff F · #9 (**permalink**) 14-10-2011, 07:31 PM

If the hind legs are all black then you have the answer. E. tenax.

The only other possibility which has that characteristic deep loop in the wing veins and black legs is Merodon equestris but it is larger and the colouration is different.

The reason for needing other leg colouration would only apply if the hind leg was partly yellow. For example, E. pertinax is similar except for a partially yellow hind tibia plus yellow front and mid tarsus.

rowanalder · #10 (**permalink**) 16-10-2011, 12:16 PM

Hi Geoff,

Thanks for the conformation. I will look out for the other similar species. Just ordered Stubbs British Hoverflies so should begin to get my head round them soon.

Cheers,

Ro