Eupeodes or Syrphus or ?? - Syrphus opinator

Moved

Moved from Eupeodes.

… Martin Hauser, 30 December, 2014 - 7:12pm

Moved

Moved from American Hover Fly.
In front f so much doubt let us move it back to genus and hope that it can be IDed to species sometime.

… Beatriz Moisset, 12 February, 2010 - 8:32am

Looks like

American Hover Fly (Eupeodes americanus), see Photo#33107

in this BugGuide. Also see a very interesting discussion of differences between Syrphus and Eupeodes. In your photos the bands are narrower in the middle and there is a margined abdomen so it follows that it is Eupeodes.

… Ted Kropiewnicki, 20 October, 2007 - 10:12pm

looks different...

… WonGun Kim, 14 October, 2008 - 1:02am

Stripes certainly aren't the same.

Note difference in gap on those yellow ones nearest the thorax. Also, the black stripes are thicker on Gary's fly. Perhaps Gerard or Paul could get this to species, but I do think we need the expertise of someone like them to decide for certain. (I'd be inclined to put this in Syrphini, but am even a bit unsure about that.)

… Ron Hemberger, 14 October, 2008 - 9:41am

Very interesting

I do not remember exactly which images I reviewed before I gave my opinion and perhaps I should have stopped at the Genus instead of saying that it looks like... I do agree that experts are needed. Now, the thing is that this exact image has been posted at Diptera.info which is the website that Paul Beuk promotes. I have that sinking feeling that I need to stay out of this family.

… Ted Kropiewnicki, 15 October, 2008 - 9:04pm

Incredibly difficult

There are lots of what I call "evil twins" among the syrphids. Apparently, we have triplets here. I'm still feeling my way around, but I seem to have a good eye for discrepancies.

I think it's very hard to ID many flies to species and am also inclined to stop at genus. Thinking back, American Hover fly was one of my first mis-IDs.

Keep at it, Ted. Gerard is at the site frequently now, I'm following him around and encourage you to do the same.

… Ron Hemberger, 15 October, 2008 - 10:32pm