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Photo#593372
Brown and translucent orange syrphid with curvy wing veins - Eristalis tenax
Copyright © 2011 Jerry Friedman

Brown and translucent orange syrphid with curvy wing veins - Eristalis tenax
Española, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, USA
November 8, 2011
Size: ~17 mm long
I'll move it to Syrphidae in a day or so, but I thought more people interested in the translucency (in the second image) would see it here. Since my porch faces east, I occasionally see flies with translucent markings like this in the mornings. Is this common? Does it indicate anything about the integument or viscera?

This fly was very sluggish on frosty mornings. I don't think its chances are good, as there are no flowers left around here.

The screen mesh is 1/16 inch.

Images of this individual: tag all
Brown and translucent orange syrphid with curvy wing veins - Eristalis tenax Brown and translucent orange syrphid with curvy wing veins - Eristalis tenax Brown and translucent orange syrphid with curvy wing veins - Eristalis tenax
Contributed by Jerry Friedman on 9 November, 2011 - 12:06am
Last updated 27 November, 2011 - 9:34pm

Moved
Moved from Drone Fly.
… Martin Hauser, 27 November, 2011 - 9:34pm

 
Thanks.
I think my size estimate was too high, by the way.
… Jerry Friedman, 27 November, 2011 - 9:53pm

 
No need for size with this on
No need for size with this one. The coloration is variable, but has a typical pattern and the two black lines of hairs on the eyes are a dead giveaway....
… Martin Hauser, 27 November, 2011 - 10:02pm

Moved
Moved from Syrphid Flies.
… Martin Hauser, 27 November, 2011 - 9:34pm

Moved
Moved from ID Request.
… Jerry Friedman, 11 November, 2011 - 8:32am

This looks
like a female Eristalis tenax.
… Jon M. Yuschock, 9 November, 2011 - 8:09am

 
Thanks.
It certainly does. Seems like that curved third vein is a good clue for Eristalis. It would be the first of the species and even the subgenus for New Mexico.

I forgot to mention that I have pictures where the legs are in focus if that would help.
… Jerry Friedman, 9 November, 2011 - 9:18am

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