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Hi,

I keyed this to Melanogaster aerosa, we only have M. hirtella besides assuming I have the genus correct! Is this correct?

9th May, my garden near Lincoln UK.

Janet

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pic 2

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pic 3

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crop

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Looks similar to my recent http://www.dipter...d_id=39122, especially the 3-tone hair on the frons and vertex. Melanogaster was my front runner for that too.

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Hi Stephen,

Do you have any syrphidae keys? I've bought the Mark van Veen book. I think the antennae are too long on yours for Melanogaster.

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This is a female Cheilosia, don't know which one (possibly C. vernalis). In female Melanogaster, the facial tubercle is lacking.

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Thank you Menno! I have checked the key for C. vernalis, the hairs on the hind margin of the scutellum are quite long on mine so I will have to do some searching.

Is there another similar which 'rings a bell' with you?

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I think this could be Cheilosia variabilis, I had a male on the 19th May. It doesn't have the wings in the typical stance but it landed just as winds were bringing in rain, then it ran around and took off again.

Is there anything to suggest it isn't C. variabilis?

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Hi Janet, you were right! I have Stubbs & Falk, but I struggled on this one with only one view.

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Hi Stephen,

I might get Stubbs & Falks when the new revised book comes out probably next year, books can add up to a lot of money though! Both might be handy, the latest edition of Mark van Veen "Hoverflies of Northwest Europe" is available at Pemberley books for £39.99 +£4.50 postage which is a lot cheaper than other places.

https://www.pembe.../search.pl

I tried to guess the genus from seeing other photos, but a good view of the wings might have helped. Experience is a great help too, that we get from doing.