Flower Fly - Spilomyia interrupta

This is great, Cheryl!

I just wish I had bumped into these flies when visiting the Arboretum just a few days later.
I think you're correct with the ID. If you withdraw some images for clarification, leave at least one per aspect, i.e. dorsal, ventral, head-on, etc.

… Hartmut Wisch, 25 September, 2007 - 5:36pm

I already frassed a few.

As soon as I was sure of the ID, I went through and frassed all but I think 4. I should go ahead and un-link them, though.

… Cheryl Moorehead, 25 September, 2007 - 6:23pm

Unlink them?

Does this mean that you think these photos may be of different individuals?

… Hartmut Wisch, 25 September, 2007 - 6:35pm

No!

I just unlinked the frassed ones from the "keepers". That's all. It was one individual that was unusually cooperative.

… Cheryl Moorehead, 25 September, 2007 - 6:44pm

Good -

this makes a very nice series.

… Hartmut Wisch, 25 September, 2007 - 6:50pm

Moved

Moved from Spilomyia.

… Cheryl Moorehead, 21 September, 2007 - 9:46pm

Cheryl, did you consider Spilomyia interrupta?

We don't have much info here, but I think it's a match. I believe the "interrupta" refers to the broken yellow stripes, but have no confirmation.

… Ron Hemberger, 21 September, 2007 - 11:33am

Yes...

Last year, Hartmut Wisch was trying to ID this one:

I think I'll have to look up what a "surstylus" is to see if it's S. interrupta or S. citima. (see the first comment under that thumbnail).

… Cheryl Moorehead, 21 September, 2007 - 12:44pm

Thanks for your prompt response

I figured you did. Hartmut had one expertly IDed as Spilomyia interrupta, but I think the ID came after your post.

… Ron Hemberger, 21 September, 2007 - 3:47pm

As soon as I figure out what a surstylus is...

I can get rid of some of these redundant ones. (If the surstylus is visible in any of them!!!) I even looked on the web to see if I could find out what that word means and couldn't find it.
I'll go through my book: American Insects: A Handbook of the Insects of America North of Mexico, (1) when I get home.
(Yes I did buy that huge book!)

… Cheryl Moorehead, 21 September, 2007 - 4:30pm

Free info, for what it's worth (from Google)

Definition of Surstylus on the Web:

(pl. surstyli) (= gonostylus, forcep): specialized apical articulated lobe that originates as a lateral outgrowth of the epandrium (tergite 9). Found in Apsilocephalidae; not present in Therevidae.

… Ron Hemberger, 21 September, 2007 - 6:29pm

Thanks so much!

It does appear to be interrupta. Re-reading Hartmut's comment, he mentions the surstylus of the antennae is blunt in interrupta, and distinctly notched in citima. I don't see anything that looks notched on the antennae...I'm glad you commented on this fly today. It kind of lit a fire under me, so to speak.

… Cheryl Moorehead, 21 September, 2007 - 9:40pm

Just trying to get you to do my research. LOL!

Looks like it partially backfired, re: surstylus - but that was brainless and easy. I'd like to get more syrphids identified, after being pretty successful with the simple Toxomer*us bunch.

… Ron Hemberger, 22 September, 2007 - 12:24am