Identification please

Phil G · Joined: 28 Jul 2008 Posts: 3

Is this Volucella inflata ? if so thought you might like it for your records can send Lat Long if req

taken 10/08/08 location Hayfield Peak District PCode SK22 2HF

Regards

Phil

Ian Andrews · Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 3:20 pm Post subject:

Phil

It is Volucella pellucens, with white across tergite 2 instead of orange and with black scutellum and thoracic dorsum instead of orange.

Lots of these about at the moment.

Ian

Phil G · Joined: 28 Jul 2008 Posts: 3

Thanks Ian

I note Volucella pellucens is not in the Post Code list of species for SK22 how is this updated ?

Regards

Phil

Phil G · Joined: 28 Jul 2008 Posts: 3

Hi Ian

I have reviewed the image and checked another but blurred shot and I think its a play of light the second tergite is orange as is the scutellum albeit dark orange

in fact almost a mach to the ones shown on

http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artmay07/cd-hoverflies.html

Volucella inflata is also not shown on the Post Code list for SK22

Many thanks for your help

Phil
Novice

Ian Andrews · Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2008 9:06 pm Post subject:

Phil

Let us wait for one of the experts to judge!

I always follow Roger's advice and collect a specimen to take home and look at under the microscope and then keep. When you are a new to hoverflies, it can be surprising how often your first thoughts are proved wrong. Gradually, you get to recognise the commoner ones. I am like you, so I won't press my view!!

Today, i took a selection of female Helophilus species from the Pocklington Canal, and at home found (to my joy) that most were H. hybridus, but some were pendulus and a couple were trivittatus (but these were obvious, anyway!) It pays to collect and consider properly...photos only go so far!

Ian

Roger K.A. Morris · Joined: 06 Nov 2005 Posts: 1652

Phil

This is V. pellucens - a female.

There are several pointers to separating this from V. inflata - the latter is a strong orange brown on the windows and is small and more globular.

Also, V. inflata is a relatively early species - mainly June and July - v unusual in August.

In terms of records - we seek evidence of the specimen although we will use photos for those spp that are genuinely identifiable from photos.

Dat required:

Date, Location OS grid ref (not lat long), Location name, name of recorder (+ of course the species name).

Data will be entered depending upon volumes - big blocks generally go on within a week or so (if Stuart is around) provided we have accepted the data and vouchers. I keep a register of the occasional records that crop up and then download them when there is a big enough block to justify downloading to Stuart and then uploading onto the website.

Regards

Roger