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Hello, List

This one keys out (Verlinden) as Anasimyia contracta (female), which would be an usual observation, I understand.
Anybody cares to comment ?
Bois de Lauzelle, Louvain la neuve, (Belgium) in a marshy area.
June 16 2008
Thanks for your help
Philippe

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Did you consider Anasimyia transfuga? It is rather similar, but has parallelsided abdomen. The thorax colorations seems to me transfuga.

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Hello Cor.
Yes, it was my first conclusion, but then the abdominal segment II appears distinctly narrowed, I find. But transfuga would be more common indeed. That is the typical beginner's problem with keys : how much narrowed is "slightly narrowed" or "distinctly narrowed" when you have no reference and never seen either one??
What do YOU think ??

Philippe

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Well, that is a problem with keys: you need experience to use them -> circular problem :D - but then, I never use keys...:o

Here's a photo of A. contracta - at least as I see it. 14 June in Holland. I saw A. transfuga today, too.

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Well this one would key out as a male contracta, for me. Is that right ?or am I confused ?
In that case, I'd say mine was contracta female ??

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I'm not a Syrphid expert, so ask for other opinions too, please.

Here's another A. contracta; I feel that thorax coloration is also distinctive.

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and here's what I take to be A. transfuga

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and here's one more transfuga, from today in Amsterdam.

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Well that sounds convincing, and frankly I am more comfortable with a less rare (for Belgium) species ID !

Thanks for your help
Philippe