Fly on Rabbitbrush - Platycheirus

Moved

Moved from Bacchini.

… Martin Hauser, 8 December, 2016 - 10:51am

Moved

Moved from Syrphid Flies.

… John S. Ascher, 30 September, 2014 - 7:07pm

ID: Paragus sp. with about 90% certainty

See details at this related post of what might well be the same individual.

Species ID highly unlikely. Bronze color of thorax is found on many within this genus. Antennae appear to be variable, but this may be a matter of camera angle.

… Ron Hemberger, 18 December, 2013 - 4:21pm

Thanks for your help. I have

Thanks for your help. I have not been familiar with Paragus, so this gives me something to research this winter. Hopefully I can get better images next year.
Jeanne

… jeanne dammarell, 18 December, 2013 - 4:27pm

It was interesting for me to dig into this.

I've always liked Paragus, but had a rather narrow view of it. That came from seeing a great preponderance of males with red abdomens. The first time I saw a mating pair, I couldn't imagine the flies were of the same species since the female was so much larger and monochromatic bronze. In the field, a lot of these little guys are overlooked, and they're also wary and down low, hence hard to shoot. Once you've started seeing them, you'll see lots more.

… Ron Hemberger, 18 December, 2013 - 4:42pm

Red abdomen and everly large

Red abdomen and everly large head? Now you have triggered a memory. I think I might have a couple of those taken in previous years that were not large enough to submit, so I never knew what they were. I will look for them and see if they look like your Paragus. I bet they do!
Thanks again,
Jeanne

… jeanne dammarell, 18 December, 2013 - 5:37pm

Moved

Moved from ID Request.

… John F. Carr, 18 December, 2013 - 3:16pm

Looks like a member of the Sy

Looks like a member of the Syrphidae - more specifically something in subfamily Syrphinae. Can't tell you more beyond that at this point - apologies! The combination of what looks to me like a dark face and complete bands on the abdomen is puzzling...

… Kelsey J.R.P. Byers, 18 December, 2013 - 1:29pm

Syrphid is safe.

I'm similarly baffled, Kelsey.

Jeanna, was it really tiny? Overall look and posture is that of Paragus, but pattern is something else!

This one looks close:

… Ron Hemberger, 18 December, 2013 - 2:03pm

Yes, Ron it is fairly tiny an

Yes, Ron it is fairly tiny and I chased one around at this site for several weeks. I did get it on the camera on another day and was a little farther away, but will upload those in a separate submission because more of the face is visible. Thanks for your help!
Jeanne

… jeanne dammarell, 18 December, 2013 - 2:30pm

My pleasure, Jeanne.

… Ron Hemberger, 18 December, 2013 - 2:37pm

I've just uploaded another im

I've just uploaded another image that shows more of the abdomen. Does this help? Thanks for your assistance!
Jeanne

… jeanne dammarell, 18 December, 2013 - 1:43pm