Thread subject: Diptera.info :: amazing looking fly ID needed

Posted by macrojunkie on 04-05-2008 22:10
#1

any ideas?what a cool looking fly
west of uk

i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii245/macrojunkie/hoverfly6.jpg

Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 04-05-2008 22:13
#2

Empididae.

Posted by ChrisR on 04-05-2008 23:34
#3

Probaby Empis tessellata - very common now in England :)

Posted by igor on 05-05-2008 07:59
#4

Empis opaca

Posted by ChrisR on 05-05-2008 09:26
#5

Hi igor - does that mean the fly in this thread is also opaca?

Posted by Jan Willem on 05-05-2008 10:01
#6

Hi Chris,

No, the fly in the other thread is not Empis opaca.

Posted by ChrisR on 05-05-2008 10:13
#7

Hi Jan Willem - thanks for the confirmation - what are the distinguishing features that would split opaca and tessellata in these photos? They look very similar, except perhaps for the degree of leg coloration but I thought maybe this was due to the difference between flash & natural light.

Posted by Jan Willem on 05-05-2008 12:25
#8

It's not very clear in the photo's concerned, but the abdomen is dorsally dusted in Empis tessellata and dorsally shining black in E. opaca. The adbomen of E. opaca is dusted at the sides though.

Posted by Andre on 05-05-2008 12:38
#9

Empis tessellata can have extremely red legs in warmer parts of Europe, like I found in Portugal. The base of the wing in this pic looks yellowish. This could be tessellata, also taking in mind that the thorax is very dusted.

Posted by ChrisR on 05-05-2008 13:17
#10

I agree, the fly in this photo certainly looks to have a dusted thoracic dorsum - showing distinct vittae.

Posted by igor on 05-05-2008 13:17
#11

Empis opaca: palpus reddish yellow; scutum with 4 vittae.
Empis tessellata: palpus black; scutum with 3 vittae.