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Hoverfly

Syrphus vitripennis

Photo by Doryreed
Published on Project Noah
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54.8429, -1.50811

Field Notes

Description:

Wasp look-a-like but actually a fly. Only two wings and short, stubby antennae.

Habitat:

Found on many different flowers as an adult.

Notes:

Adults feed on pollen and nectar. Larvae feed on aphids. Harmless insect that is often mistaken for a wasp.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (11)
Doryreed
Yeah they are very similar. There are lots of different kinds and also lots that look very similar. They are also very attractive animals.
mariajo
Doryreed creo que tienes razón, no me había fijado en el número de rayas. Es fantástico, a simple vista parecerían todas iguales, pero tienen sus pequeñas diferencias.
Doryreed
That is a great site mariajo. I think what I have here is Syrphus vitripennis. If you count the stripes on the abdomen it has 6 including the very narrow one at the base. Metasyrphus latifasciatus only has 5 but otherwise looks identical. What do you think?
lori.tas
Yes mariajo, I just came to the same conclusion about the thorax. :)
mariajo
Lori.tas si te fijas bien la Myathropa florea tiene el tóras rayado y la Metasyrphus lo tiene liso. Podría ser también Metasyrphus latifasciatus Consulta esta página: http://www.johnsbooks.org/galleries/index%20hoverflies.htm
lori.tas
After reading all of the discussion, I've found these images of Myathropa florea on this page: http://www.gardensafari.net/en_picpages/myathropa_florea.htm
mariajo
Creo que es una mosca cernidora Metasyrphus corollae
Eve Dosh
I love this pic. Awesome capture :)
Doryreed
I am sure it is either Syrphus torvus or Syrphus ribesii. It is between them but I really don't know how to tell them apart, especially from just a photo.
lori.tas
I'm leaning towards Eristalis tenax, the Drone fly.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Earth Week 2011
Photographed
PublishedApril 27, 2011

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