20/10/2016

[Jaybee]

I was compelled to go check out the ivy patch this morning.
Still a bit of a way to go yet before the flowers open at the patch I visit.
So once again back to the dandelion field (I'll keep going there till there are no hovers to be found )
The slight rise in temperature from yesterday brought a lot more hovers out.

http://northeastwildlife.co.uk/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=lastup&cat=0

The ivy is still keeping me and the hovers waiting


First a couple of H. pendulus behaviour photos.
I've noticed all year just how aggressive H. pendulus is. It will actively attack other visitors to any flower it is feeding on.
For the first time I saw one deliberately "play dead" very much in the manner of some weevils and beetles.
As I stood up it rolled off the ragwort flower onto its back and remained there for a minute or two before righting itself and flying off.




Cheilosia bergenstammi - female ????? Specimen retained



Episyrphus balteatus - female


Eristalis pertinax - female


Eristalis tenax - male and female



Eupeodes luniger - male and female Both specimens retained



Helophilus pendulus - male and female



Neoascia podagrica - female


Platycheirus albimanus - male and female



Platycheirus scutatus - female Specimen retained


Sphaerophoria scripta - male


Syritta pipiens - male and female



Syrphus ribesii - female Specimens retained



Link to spreadsheet

[Roger K.A. Morris]

Interesting observation of male H. pendulus. I wonder if it is that they are just so short-sighted that they mistake others for their own kind? Most male hovers have better visual accuity because of their holoptic eyes, whereas H. pendulus has the eyes separated - there must be an adaptation reason.