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Photo#385536
syrphid fly - Dasysyrphus - male

syrphid fly - Dasysyrphus - Male
Morse Wildlife Preserve, Pierce County, Washington, USA
April 14, 2010
Male Eupeodes? These were 'swarming' around one bush. It was very pretty... little spots of gold flying through the air.

Not confident with this one.
Not confident with this one. Tergite 4 looks as if the markings overlap side margin. Safe in Dasysyrphus.

Moved
Moved from pinastri group.

Moved
Moved from Dasysyrphus.

I can't quite tell if the mar
I can't quite tell if the markings on tergites 3-4 are crossing the abdominal margin or not. It looks more to me like they aren't, but I'll lay out both options just in case :^)

If they are, then I think Dasysyrphus venustus, using the new Locke and Skevington key (Zootaxa 3660, 2013). The maculae on tergites 3-4 fit the description of venustus (venustus is described as the maculae being transverse, constricted slightly medially, medial edge swollen slightly) better than the D. intrudens complex (arcuate/lunulate, U/V shape on anterior edge, constricted in the middle, large swelling on medial edge).

However, if they aren't (which I think more likely), then it's probably one of D. pacificus or D. pauxillus. I can't quite see the gena to see if it's light or dark, but the markings on the abdomen don't match creper (not arcuate with flattened edge), and markings and range don't match richardi or lotus. The markings aren't constricted, and the range and appearance match neither laticaudus (similar appearance, but an eastern species) or nigricornis.
The problem is that pacificus and pauxillus are apparently very hard to tell apart in sympatry, aka southern BC and most probably WA as well. Bummer! pacificus apparently has more bare wings, but I'm bad at judging those and the authors advise caution and prefer genital dissection.

 
D. pacificus or D. pauxillus
Thanks fall all the great info.

Moved
Moved from Syrphini.

Moved
Moved from Syrphid Flies.

Nice shot
I think it's Eupeodes, but am not completely certain. Perhaps someone else with chime in.

 
Lynettte, you could move it to Tribe Syrphini.
.

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