Hoverfly sp - Parasyrphus tarsatus

Moved

… Kelsey J.R.P. Byers, 10 July, 2014 - 12:52am

Syrphini - either Syrphus or

Syrphini - either Syrphus or Parasyrphus. I don't think I'm seeing long hairs on the dorsal side of the lower calypter, which argues for Parasyrphus, but I'm not entirely sure about that. Haired eyes rule out similar Syrphini, and it's definitely not Dasysyrphus.

I went ahead and keyed it out in the Syrphus key, and the only potential option is S. opinator, but it doesn't look like that species given the separate abdominal markings. Parasyrphus is more likely - it fits P. tarsatus quite nicely in the key!!!

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and the LifeDesks page.

… Kelsey J.R.P. Byers, 10 July, 2014 - 12:40am

I added one more image

if it helps at all. Would P.tarsatus occur in the lowlands? I don't know the altitude of the site where I photographed this but I'm guessing it is around 500-700m. The habitat was a boreal marsh edge, surrounded by second growth Paper Birch and mature White Spruce forest. I'd also like to state that I know absolutely nothing about these so not doubting but simply trying to help by giving more clues. Thanks for your efforts to ID it!!

… Jukka Jantunen, 10 July, 2014 - 1:05am

The extra photo does help - P

The extra photo does help - P. tarsatus has a very faint stripe on the face, and this shows that perfectly, and also confirms the bare lower calypter surface. Apparently found in both above-treeline (both latitudinal and altitudinal treeline) and below-treeline habitats, as well as Arctic tundra. The distribution map for Canada in Vockeroth 1992 shows numerous specimens in the Yukon. Unfortunately I don't have any other microhabitat info - sorry! Great find!!!

… Kelsey J.R.P. Byers, 10 July, 2014 - 2:22am