Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Chrysotoxum cautum or arcuatum?

Posted by nick upton on 19-03-2010 15:08
#1

I think this is one or the other, but can anyone tell me which one and how can I tell the difference in future?

Photographed 27.6.09 feeding on Heracleum sphondylium in Wiltshire Southwest UK


Nick Upton - generalist naturalist and photographer

Posted by tim worfolk on 19-03-2010 16:41
#2

I'd say cautum, 3rd antennal seg. not long enough for arcuatum, and tergite pattern also matches cautum best. There are another 3 Chrysotoxum spp. which come close but that would be getting complicated - great isn't it?

Tim

Posted by nick upton on 19-03-2010 20:24
#3

OK thanks Tim, yet again. I'd made it cautum too, by comparison with other photos but -it seems- by looking at all the "wrong" characters. I'll stick with that unless any one else is sure its one of the many lookalikes. Nick

Posted by Andre on 22-03-2010 21:16
#4

cautum female indeed, very good.

Posted by nick upton on 22-03-2010 22:40
#5

Ok, many thanks Andre for this confirmation. Nick