Wasp mimic - Sphiximorpha

Is this "S. johnsoni" ?

Using the key in Thompson(2012), this goes well to:

Sphiximorpha johnsoni Thompson, 2011

...where the range is given only as "Florida". The reference for the original description of Sphiximorpha johnsoni is listed in the bibliography of Thompson(2012) as:

Thompson, F.C. (2011). Nearctic flower flies (Diptera: Syrphidae). Myia, 13. In press.

I'm wondering if that paper never did make it to press, and if that's why the guide page here refers to the taxon as an "unnamed FL endemic"? If it did make it to press, it seems we could likely change the guide page name here to Sphiximorpha johnsoni (perhaps after double-checking that the published description fits well).

Either way, this is a neat creature! And it's interesting that, as is the case for another group of wasp-mimic dipterans, Conopinae (for which Sphixomorpha and other Ceriodini can easily be mistaken!)...Ceriodini has at least two distinctive deep red & black taxa endemic to Florida: this taxon and Monoceromyia floridensis. (Compare with the Conopinae Physocephala floridana, Physoconops floridanus, and Physoconops weemsi.)

[Are they all modelling on certain especially emulation-worthy deep red & black wasps particular to the Florida area?]

… Aaron Schusteff, 8 September, 2015 - 11:12pm

Hi Aaron, unfortunately th

Hi Aaron,

unfortunately the paper did not make it to the publisher. FCT has an amazing revision/catalog of the North American Syrphids nearly done. Great MS. I really hope that he can get it to the publisher, but I doubt that he will manage to get it out. It would push our understanding and knowledge of US Syrphids to a new level for sure!
So for now, we have to leave this species under " undescribed"

… Martin Hauser, 9 September, 2015 - 10:47am

Any updates on publication st

Any updates on publication status?

… Even Dankowicz, 12 March, 2018 - 7:44pm

Sorry, nothing has been publi

Sorry, nothing has been published yet as far as I am aware....

… Martin Hauser, 12 March, 2018 - 8:17pm

Moved

Moved from Sphiximorpha.

… v belov, 28 July, 2009 - 1:19pm

Sphiximorpha

Great find, this is a Syrphid, genus Sphiximorpha. they are amongst the best wasp mimiks and they are relalively rare!

… Martin Hauser, 8 March, 2008 - 9:36pm

Thanks for the id

… Eric Haley, 1 April, 2008 - 6:58pm

By the way, this is an undesc

By the way, this is an undescribed species! And it is only found in Florida....

… Martin Hauser, 12 May, 2009 - 9:31pm

Definitely a fly

You can see the left haltere quite clearly. A slightly-educated guess is that it's a Syrphid **later edit: correct**, probably Subfamily Syrphinae **later edit: incorrect**

… Chuck Entz, 8 March, 2008 - 9:05pm