Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Epistrophe eligans | British Syrphid for ID
Posted by evergestis on 19-05-2018 20:58
#1
Can't figure out what this one is.
UK, London, Hutchinson's Bank nature reserve, 19 May 2018:
Edited by evergestis on 01-06-2018 19:58
Posted by Tony Irwin on 19-05-2018 22:08
#2
male
Epistrophe eligans?
Posted by evergestis on 19-05-2018 22:33
#3
Tony Irwin wrote:
male Epistrophe eligans?
There was such thought -- but I am used to E. eligans with a more shiny thorax. In flight this looked like a dark E. balteatus to me, but when it settled, I saw it was not.
I am not an expert -- is it an E. eligans? Are their males duller and hairier than females?
Posted by treebeard on 20-05-2018 17:28
#4
Yes, I agree with evergestis - Epistrophe eligans looks different.Your picture is quite challenging :)
Do you have also a lateral view?
Matej
Posted by evergestis on 25-05-2018 15:04
#5
treebeard wrote:
Yes, I agree with evergestis - Epistrophe eligans looks different.Your picture is quite challenging :)
Do you have also a lateral view?
Matej
Alas, it's the only one! I couldn't catch it, either -- it escaped :(
Posted by Ectemnius on 25-05-2018 20:45
#6
As far as I can make out, it's dull adomen is the only remarkable thing. I checked my collection and E. eligans is just as hairy as shown on the photo.
It matches Epistrophe eligans in: the angle of the eyes, the dusting of the frons, the length and colour of the hairs on the body, the lenght and colour of the stigma, the pattern of abdominal markings.
So I'd say Epistrophe eligans, abberant specimen which has a dull abdomen.
It is a rare thing, but well noted. Abberations in Syrphidae or other Diptera families. Melanostoma mellinum can have an entirely black abdomen. Episyrphus baltetaus, Platycheirus sp, and Parasyrphus too. Bombyliidae are famous for abberations in wing venation. Just last week I was sent a Gymnochiromyia with on the left 5 and the right 4 fronto-orbital bristles. It should have three either side.
Greetings,
Ectemnius
Posted by evergestis on 26-05-2018 17:58
#7
So E. eligans! OK, thanks!