Not sure if this is a Hoverfly???

Cliff Raby · Joined: 08 Aug 2010 Posts: 89 Location: Blackpool

Photo'd this in the garden today, but I'm not sure if it is a hoverfly. It was certainly hovering, in fact I never saw it land - it mostly hovered then darted about a bit, then hovered again.

As I didn't see it land I tried getting some inflight shots, the following are the only two remotely in focus.

If it is a hoverfly, checking the images in Rogers book, I think it most resembles P. anthracina - BUT - it's the wrong time of year & the wrong part of the country (Blackpool, Lancs), so ruling that out & moving onto 'similar species', it's not P albimanus & I don't think it's C pagana because the face colour is wrong - which leaves a male C impressa.

Can anyone confirm - or is it just a fly - that hovers???

Thanks

Cliff

Jaybee · Joined: 21 Jun 2013 Posts: 864 Location: Durham

Looking at the veins in the second shot I'm pretty sure this is a fly Cliff.

Roger K.A. Morris · Joined: 06 Nov 2005 Posts: 1583

I suspect this to be a Lonchopterid

Cliff Raby · Joined: 08 Aug 2010 Posts: 89 Location: Blackpool

Many thanks fellas - it was worth a try.

I do have quite a few hoverfly records to upload, just struggling to find time to get round to it but will at some stage.

Roger K.A. Morris · Joined: 06 Nov 2005 Posts: 1583

Plenty of time Ken - there will be a lot of autumn I suspect so take every opportunity to get out and about!