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Photo#277399
Syrphid Fly - Ferdinandea - male

Syrphid Fly - Ferdinandea - Male
Lake Elizabeth, Fremont, Alameda County, California, USA
May 20, 2009
This was on rotting wood at base of tree. It was camouflaged against bark.

It was on the same tree as the Ceriana tridens. We look there daily because of the notes on the Myathropa florea about larvae being in rotted wood.

This is an unusual looking sy
This is an unusual looking syrphid of the genus Ferdinandea. The larvae are living in the sap from tree wounds and so the adults are mainly found in forested areas.There are only a few species in the US and several in Europe and East till Chinam Taiwan and in Northern India. The golden shining thorax and the spots on the wings are typical...

 
Larvae
Thanks!

What do these larvae look like?

 
Look for a female again...
...ovipositing near a sap-oozing tree wound, as in your post below.



Then keep an eye on the oviposition site...you may be able to find and photograph the larvae.

 
All dried up...
Sadly, in the four years since this posting, the two Black Willow trees at Lake Elizabeth have both dried up and are awaiting a strong wind to blow them over. We have spotted several Syrphids and Moths there.

I think I found a larva in 2010:


The Ferdinandea I found at home propably came from a twisted Pine on the other side of our neighbors fence. They have just sold the property to a developer and the Pine is scheduled for removal. I have asked them to leave the Pine because of the Syrphids.

Interesting.
I'd guess you've found another special syrphid. Hopefully, we'll see.

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