Syrphid Fly - Xanthogramma flavipes

Moved

… Martin Hauser, 31 May, 2013 - 11:40pm

Tribe Syrphini

Either Eupeodes sp. or Syrphus sp. I suspect the latter. You can tell by looking at the specimen. If the light stripes continue unbroken to the underside of the abdomen, it's Syrphus. OTOH, if they are broken by a black band, it's Eupeodes.

Very unlikely to be IDed to species.

Detail is much better here than your earlier syrphid images; thanks! I still think you need more light on the subject, but that's partially a personal preference.

… Ron Hemberger, 31 May, 2013 - 11:37pm

Thanks

Thanks for the ID help. I'll try to get some images of the underside and face for a further ID.

… Aaron Eckley, 1 June, 2013 - 3:56am

As good as it can possibly get.

Aaron, your ID is to the species level. You can tell from the two-word scientific name: Xanthogramma is the genus, while flavipes is the species.

This ID was easier than many in that there is only one species in the genus, where there could be hundreds were it another insect, a bee for example. In this case, the single image you provided had all the info Martin needed.

If you want to know more about your find, click on the scientific name above your photo. You'll be taken to an Info page. From there, click Images to see other shots of these flies. Click Data to see where and when Bug Guide contributors found their specimens.

BTW, I hadn't realized you were using a smart phone to generate images. You're doing very well with it!

… Ron Hemberger, 1 June, 2013 - 12:00pm

You overlooked the yellow on

You overlooked the yellow on the side of the thorax and the completely yellow face... but this one has an unusual abdominal coloration...

… Martin Hauser, 31 May, 2013 - 11:40pm

Thanks, Martin! Hopefully, I'll know better next time.

Could you revisit Aaron's Eristalis, now that he has a better image:

… Ron Hemberger, 31 May, 2013 - 11:53pm

I spent some time on this pic

I spent some time on this pic, it might be stipator, but this is a difficult group, I think without having the specimen on hand, I will not be able to make the ID...
BTW the Xanthogramma through me off and it took me a while to figure out what it was, but once I saw the yellow side line on the thorax, I knew there were very few genera with this character...

… Martin Hauser, 1 June, 2013 - 12:20pm

Thanks

Thanks for your help! Even though you couldnt get it to species, you did help me narrow it down...thanks for your time.

… Aaron Eckley, 1 June, 2013 - 9:07pm