Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Epistrophe eligans | British Syrphid for ID

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