Syrphid ID - Syrphus torvus

Was this guy really

flying outside in Norfolk Virginia on January 1? Seems the wrong season to those of us who are buried under snow in the beginning of January.

… john and jane balaban, 3 January, 2008 - 3:25pm

This one and.......

another species that I was able to get only a frontal shot of from a distance. I was pulling the briar toward me with the fly perched on it to get a dorsal shot. The darned thing slipped out of my hand and the fly shot off like a slingshot. Never saw it again that day.

I was out in a long sleeve shirt and it was warm enough to poll up my sleeves :^). The very next day, a cold front moved through and there was ice forming on water puddles.

I would love to get some snow! Can you send us some?? My little Subaru Wagon needs some time in the slippery stuff!

Scott

… Scott Justis, 3 January, 2008 - 3:53pm

Female

In the Syrphini, genus Syrphus!
It has hairy eyes, that would mean in Europe it can only be one species: Syrphus torvus!
It occurs also in the Nearctic, so if there are no other hairy eyed Syrphus species: here's your man! Ehhh woman! Ehhh Fly!
So, a female Syrphus torvus!
Greetings

… Gerard Pennards, 3 January, 2008 - 2:04pm

Thank you.....

Gerard. I looked at lots of images and it looks like you have it right! I guess I was just lucky to have captured some images of this fly.

Scott

BTW- I have more images if needed.

… Scott Justis, 3 January, 2008 - 7:45pm