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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Flies (Diptera) » Aschiza » Syrphid Flies (Syrphidae) » Eristalinae » Xylotini » Chalcosyrphus » Chalcosyrphus pigra
Photo#7867
Flower Fly - Chalcosyrphus pigra
Copyright © 2004 Cotinis

Flower Fly - Chalcosyrphus pigra
Durham County, North Carolina, USA
October 8, 2004
Size: circa 8 mm
On Frost Aster, Symphyotrichum pilosum (or a closely related plant). The red abdomen is quite notable in the field. Small, probably circa 8 mm.

Thanks to Eric Eaton for straightening me out on the fly id. This is what used to be called Xylota pigra, and is now, apparently, Chalcosyrphus pigra. Compare Xylota pigra at Insects of Cedar Creek. That species is listed in Brimley (1), p. 354, as ocurring in the eastern part of the state of North Carolina, March-November. Given its abundance in the North Carolina State University Entomology Collection, the correct season for this locality, and the distinctive appearance, I'm going to go out on a limb and say this syrphid is identified.
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Contributed by Cotinis on 11 October, 2004 - 10:56pm
Last updated 20 February, 2005 - 7:58pm

Syrphid fly
This is a syrphid fly. It used to be in the genus Xylota, but is now in a different one. No really good new references to syrphids that update the names! Maybe for my next book project....
… Eric R. Eaton, 12 October, 2004 - 3:49pm login or register to post comments

 
Thanks, compare Xylota pigra (Chalcosyrphus?)
Aha, thanks. I was beginning to wonder about that right after I posted it.

Somewhat similar to Xylota pigra at Insects of Cedar Creek.
Nearctica.com has a Chalcosyrphus pigra listed, maybe that is it? NCSU has it listed, too, with 48 specimens. Or, maybe that is not it. They have Xylota species, including pigra, listed too, also with 48 specimens--maybe not a coincidence. Hmm. Taxonomic confusion reigns.

Chalcosyrphus pigra is on your list for the field guide. Could this be it? If it is, let me know, I have other shots.

I'll move it to some genus or another provisionally, I suppose, or maybe just leave it as a syrphid.

Patrick Coin
Durham, North Carolina
… Cotinis, 12 October, 2004 - 4:06pm login or register to post comments

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