A Small Wasp? - Sphegina

Moved

Moved from Syrphid Flies.

… v belov, 1 July, 2011 - 2:35am

Sphegina sp.

But a male, judging by the second picture. In this genus the eyes of the males are separated!
Greetings

… Gerard Pennards, 14 September, 2010 - 4:35pm

Moved

Moved from ID Request.

… Brad Barnd, 16 June, 2010 - 8:21pm

A tough one!

Seems to be a syrphid, but posture is a bit odd. Ovipositing? (Looks like a female.) If you have something that shows the pattern on the back - perhaps by lightening this shot - you may find out more. (Check Lejops to see if that's familiar. Enlarged rear femur is present there, but on several other syrphids as well.)

… Ron Hemberger, 14 May, 2010 - 10:07am

Antennae say "fly."

Maybe someone else will be able to tell you what kind.

… Ken Wolgemuth, 14 May, 2010 - 9:35am

Well, that would also explain the sponge-like mouthpart!

BTW - when I post flies for ID, I keep being told I should post them to the fly section, but I don't know how to do that - I don't see that as an option when I fill out the request form. If someone would like to point me in the right direction, I will happily follow suit.

… naturegirl, 14 May, 2010 - 9:39am

Moving images to the guide

In a case like this, when you aren't sure where it goes until you get more information from commenters, it's best to post it first to ID Request and then move it. Here's how to move an image:
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Looking at the page for your already-posted image, you'll see a link for "tag". If it's one of a linked series, there's also a link for "tag all". Click on the appropriate link to tag the images you want to move to the same place. One or more thumbnail images will appear in the upper-left corner of the page.

Next, navigate to the place in the guide where you want the image(s) to go.

Make sure you're looking at the "Images" section, clicking on the "Images" tab if necessary. There should be a link for "move tagged images". If you got there using the "back" button on your browser, you may have to "reload" or "refresh" to show the tagged image thumbnail(s) and the "move tagged images" link.

Click on the "move tagged images" link. The thumbnail(s) should disappear from the upper-left corner of the page and appear among the image thumbnails in the guide. You have just moved your image(s).
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As to where to move it, I think it's safe in this case to move it to the Family Syrphidae, though when you aren't sure of the family, it's better to move it to Diptera.

… Chuck Entz, 14 May, 2010 - 2:36pm

Instead of starting in ID Request,

go to the Diptera section of the Guide. Click on the "Images" tab, and you'll see a link titled "add image." Click that. You'll get the same submission form, but your pic will end up on the fly page and not in ID Request.

… Ken Wolgemuth, 14 May, 2010 - 9:55am