Diptera.info

Posted by Cor Zonneveld on 21-10-2007 14:51

Last week I was in Melbourne, Australia, for work. Happily enough I could find some spare time to look around. Although I found it quite poor in insects, I saw some interesting things, like this hoverfly. Has anyone an idea which it might be?

Size: medium, about typical Syrphus.

Habitat: recently burned area with rather low Eucalyptus trees. I'll attach a habitat photograph.

The fly was sitting on burned wood from the 'tree' in the forground.

Posted by Gerard Pennards on 23-10-2007 23:02

Hello Cor,
I'm quite sure it's a species of Mesembrius, but in Australia there are several candidates: bengalensis, hilaris and ruficauda.
As I don't know what these look like, it's as far as I can go!
Greetings,

Posted by Maddin on 23-10-2007 23:43

That is a great fly! I think it is not a Mesembrius, I have the species identified in my collection, but I can not find it right now.. I will look again for it...

Posted by Gerard Pennards on 24-10-2007 11:01

Hello Martin,
Well, interesting. I recalled the name from a picture of a similar looking syrphid that I found a while ago (unfortunately I can't find it anymore:( ) on the net which was presented as probable Mesembrius sp..
My own idea was something like Tropidia sp. or something close, but I don't know whether a genus like Tropidia is present in Australia!
Curious to hear what it is....
Greetings, Gerard

Posted by Kahis on 24-10-2007 12:42

My first though was Blera, but I am hardly the man to talk with about Australian syrphidae :p

Posted by Maddin on 29-10-2007 04:02

ok with the help of my Aussi-friend Shaun Winterton, I got the name straight (at least I think so): Orthoprosopa grisea (Walker, 1835)
Walker described it as Helophilus, although it belongs closer to Tropida, just another name he messed up... I hope I did not mess this one up, but this is at least my last thought to the southern beauty (ok I know it is a male...)
Cheers
Martin:p

Posted by Cor Zonneveld on 29-10-2007 11:16

Thanks very much for the effort! I'll submit it to the gallery under this name.

Posted by Andre on 29-10-2007 15:00

#10

Maddin wrote:
I hope I did not mess this one up, but this is at least my last thought to the southern beauty (ok I know it is a male...)
Cheers
Martin:p

What's wrong with coming out of the closet? :D

Posted by Susan R Walter on 29-10-2007 15:06

#11

I am very pleased to see an ID for this one - I am sending the link to my family in Australia so they can keep an eye out for it. I agree, it is a beauty and I'm glad you are submitting it to the gallery.

Posted by Maddin on 30-10-2007 19:23

#12

Andre wrote:

Maddin wrote:
I hope I did not mess this one up, but this is at least my last thought to the southern beauty (ok I know it is a male...)
Cheers
Martin:p

What's wrong with coming out of the closet? :D

Nothing wrong with that! I just did not want anybody to think I would not be able to determine the gender of that fly:o...
For the other stuff people might think about me... not that important ;)