Diptera.info

Posted by blowave on 07-06-2011 14:09

Hi,

I keyed this to Melanogaster aerosa, we only have M. hirtella besides assuming I have the genus correct! Is this correct?

9th May, my garden near Lincoln UK.

Janet

Edited by blowave on 09-06-2011 13:03

Posted by Stephen R on 08-06-2011 09:41

Looks similar to my recent http://www.dipter...d_id=39122, especially the 3-tone hair on the frons and vertex. Melanogaster was my front runner for that too.

Posted by blowave on 08-06-2011 14:25

Stephen R wrote:
Looks similar to my recent http://www.dipter...d_id=39122, especially the 3-tone hair on the frons and vertex. Melanogaster was my front runner for that too.

Hi Stephen,

Do you have any syrphidae keys? I've bought the Mark van Veen book. I think the antennae are too long on yours for Melanogaster.

Posted by Menno Reemer on 08-06-2011 18:55

This is a female Cheilosia, don't know which one (possibly C. vernalis). In female Melanogaster, the facial tubercle is lacking.

Posted by blowave on 08-06-2011 19:37

Thank you Menno! I have checked the key for C. vernalis, the hairs on the hind margin of the scutellum are quite long on mine so I will have to do some searching.

Is there another similar which 'rings a bell' with you?

Posted by blowave on 08-06-2011 20:13

I think this could be Cheilosia variabilis, I had a male on the 19th May. It doesn't have the wings in the typical stance but it landed just as winds were bringing in rain, then it ran around and took off again.

Is there anything to suggest it isn't C. variabilis?

Posted by Stephen R on 09-06-2011 10:44

#10

blowave wrote:
Do you have any syrphidae keys? I've bought the Mark van Veen book. I think the antennae are too long on yours for Melanogaster.

Hi Janet, you were right! I have Stubbs & Falk, but I struggled on this one with only one view.

Posted by blowave on 09-06-2011 13:02

#11

Hi Stephen,

I might get Stubbs & Falks when the new revised book comes out probably next year, books can add up to a lot of money though! Both might be handy, the latest edition of Mark van Veen "Hoverflies of Northwest Europe" is available at Pemberley books for �39.99 +�4.50 postage which is a lot cheaper than other places.

https://www.pembe.../search.pl

I tried to guess the genus from seeing other photos, but a good view of the wings might have helped. Experience is a great help too, that we get from doing. ;)