Syrphid

Moved

Moved from Syrphini.

… Kelsey J.R.P. Byers, 17 January, 2016 - 3:04pm

Moved

… Charley Eiseman, 18 May, 2015 - 9:58pm

I made a mistake on this one

I made a mistake on this one as Syrphus opinator female has the hind femora orange. The markings on tergite 2 are overlapping edge of tergite. Maybe the markings on tergite 3 and 4 are overlapping edge of tergite too, hard to tell. Perhaps Syrphus vitripennis. If we place it in Syrphini it would be safe. Eupeodes has some black on the face. The middle and fore tibia and tarsi are bright orange on this compared to the other specimen and the face is totally yellow compared to the other which has signs of a facial stripe. The markings are straight on this specimen and lunulate on the other. Definitely two species. Sorry about any confusion.

… Bill Dean Canada, 14 May, 2015 - 12:34pm

Moved

Moved from Syrphus.

… Martin Hauser, 31 December, 2014 - 10:50am

This one has no facial stripe

This one has no facial stripe, the other does. The sternites are different too. I think this is Syrphus opinator. I will run it by Martin Hauser, who agreed there were two species here and see what he thinks.

… Bill Dean, 31 December, 2014 - 8:42am

Moved

Moved from Eupeodes.
For future reference, this is the formerly linked photo:

… Charley Eiseman, 31 December, 2014 - 8:21am

There are two species here. T

There are two species here. This one I think is Syrphus and the other Eupeodes. Please separate.

… Bill Dean, 30 December, 2014 - 7:08pm

Can you explain the difference?

It seems unlikely that I photographed two virtually identical flies in two different genera visiting the same flower seconds apart, so it would be great if you can point out the features you're basing this on.

… Charley Eiseman, 30 December, 2014 - 7:30pm

Hi, Charley. I agree with Bill. Flies are different.

Face on this one is more yellow and light stripes are straight, not hooked on the ends, as the stripes on the other one are. Often I've had two, sometimes three different syrphid species on the same blossom at the same time. (Usually Copestylum varieties.)

… Ron Hemberger, 30 December, 2014 - 8:44pm

Aggressive

I've seen little Toxomerus chase much larger insects away to get a seat at the table.

… John F. Carr, 31 December, 2014 - 8:36am

Thank you both

And sorry that I wasn't able to produce photos more worthy of this close attention.

… Charley Eiseman, 31 December, 2014 - 8:20am

Moved

Moved from Syrphini.
Thanks!

… Charley Eiseman, 27 September, 2013 - 12:14pm

Moved

Moved from Syrphid Flies.
I added a fuzzy side view, but I wasn't able to get a top view.

… Charley Eiseman, 27 September, 2013 - 10:08am

ID Upgrade to Genus: Eupeodes sp.

That clinched it - stripes don't wrap around.

… Ron Hemberger, 27 September, 2013 - 12:13pm

Tribe Syrphini, female

For syrphid ID to genus or better, you usually need a shot straight down from the top. With this particular one, you also need a view from the side showing whether or not the light colored stripes wrap around to the bottom.

… Ron Hemberger, 26 September, 2013 - 10:05pm