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I can't find anything like this one anywhere, so no clues from me other than it looks like a Syrphid fly.

It was on a Dahlia flower back where there were black aphids, but I had several diffferent insects lay eggs, predators etc. on the plant, including ants.

Lincoln UK

7th July 2007.

Any clues?

Might help if I add the pic!

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Another Pipiza.

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Thanks Paul, now off to search Pipiza again, should have recognised the likeness??

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How about Pipiza noctiluca?

http://aolsearch....e=imageTab

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Not P. noctiluca, that has two teardrop marks near the top of the abdomen.

Pipiza austriaca looks right. Agree?

http://www.syrphi...20w01.html

http://www.syrphi...20m01.html

http://www.syrphi...20m01.html

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Pipiza are extremely difficult to recognize, even with specimen.
maybe Pipiza lugubris, it's the most common species in W-Belgium and it has clear dark markings on the wings. but without seeing legs, antennae,... clearly...

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Thanks caliprobola, that is what I needed to know. It seems they are both present here.

http://www.dipter...t?id=11275

http://www.dipter...t?id=11283

This site has 4 pages of preferred and no-preferred names, sigh.

http://www.dipter...mit=Search

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Now I find that P. lugubris is the non-preferred name for P. austriaca

http://www.dipter...t?id=11276

That is encouraging! I can eliminate some, as I already have done, and see what is left.

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Ah, but now I also find P. lugubris is a separate species also and is just a synonym for P. austriaca

http://www.dipter...t?id=11283

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well, systematics in the genus Pipiza isn't very clear yet (not to say not clear at all...).
but as far as i know P. austriaca & P. lugubris are treated seperate in most determination keys (all dutch & belgian keys, including the recent Van Veen book) i have.