Monday 22 November 2010

HOVERFLIES: Some common Lancashire hoverflies

August 25-27, 2010:
A few photographs of some local hoverflies are below. Identification to species level (and even to genus) can often be difficult. Some of those shown are only named tentatively and therefore open to correction.


Heliophilus pendulas, Hawes Water, 25.8.2010


Heliophilus pendulas, Brockholes Wetland, 27.8.2010


Episyrphus balteatus, Mere Sands, 26.8.2010


Episyrphus balteatus, Hawes Water, 25.8.2010


Eristalis pertenax, Hawes Water, 25.8.2010


Syrphus vitripennis, Mere Sands, 26.8.2010


Syrphus vitripennis (left) & Episyrphus balteatus, Mere Sands, 26.8.2010


Query Epistrophe grossulariae, Hawes Water, 25.8.2010


Query Melanastoma scalare, Brockholes Wetland, 27.8.2010


Query Eupeodes luniger, Brockholes Wetland, 27.8.2010

4 comments:

  1. Hi Michael

    I'm no expert but wondering if the last shot - labelled as unidentified, is Eupeodes luniger?

    Plus I have shots I've currently labelled as Syrphus ribesii that are similar to your S. vitripennis - but crikey, how to tell 'em apart is beyond me.

    Nice shots & blog BTW.

    Cliff

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  2. Cliff thanks, I'll check those two out again. The Eupeodes looks especially promising. As you say though, many hoverflies are difficult to identiify.

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  3. Your penultimate species is Platycheirus manicatus. The Eupeodes is as far as I can see E. luniger. You cannot put a name to the Syrphus species from photos I'm afraid - the important characters are microscropic hairs on the wings, legs and eyes.

    If you want help with ID contact me.

    Regards

    Roger Morris
    Hoverfly Recording Scheme

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  4. Hi, may I use some of your images in an educational display please? Credit will be given

    ReplyDelete