Hoverfly ?? - Not sure.

[John 2]

We are enjoying an Indian Summer at the moment and the garden has finally come alive. Even a lot of Ladybirds about 6 months later that we usually see them. I don't know what this is. Don't think that it's a bee but it wasn't exhibiting hoverfly behaviour. An ID would be welcome as would C&C.

Fuji X + 60mm Macro

[rpcrowe]

I don't know what it is but, whatever it is - the image is fantastic...

[IzzieK]

Same here...the composition is great and the flower, well...I like the flower better. It is very well exposed...I am bad at bug ID...

[Shadowman]

Nice capture.

[Dave A]

Amazing capture. Natural light or flash/reflector?

Dave

[John 2]

Thanks all very much for the comments. Natural light and PP Dave (highlights and around the edges). My wife is a keen gardener and we always have hanging baskets with trailing flowers. Good because they not only attract insect life but also because the flowers tend to be at head height. Saves my aching back and knees.

[DanK]

A very nice capture. I may be wrong, but I think it has to be a hoverfly. You can see a flat, paddle-shaped antenna about 1/3 of the way down the front of the face. These are called flagella, I think, and are characteristic of many flies. I am not aware of any hymenoptera (bees, wasps, ants) that have this. The eye is more fly-like. Also, it is hard to tell, but there seems to be a circular, yellow structure under the front of the wing. If that is a haltere, that would be a give-away. the order of flies is diptera, meaning two wings, and the vestige of the other two wings is a pair of spherical structures called halteres that some people think are used for balance while flying.

There are others on this forum who know far more than I about this and can correct me if I am wrong.

However, I have no idea what species of hoverfly. That is well beyond my extremely limited knowledge.

[Ziggy]

Nice detail in this one John.

[Geoff F]

Eristalis tenax. A deep loop in one of the middle wing veins and an all black hind leg.

They have more than one brood during the year; so are often the first and last hoverflies of the year.

[John 2]

Thanks Dan, Jim and Geoff. Geoff, the thought of this being a second brood fits with the late appearance. There are one or two other species around of the very small varieties but the Marmalades have been totally absent this year. Strange year all round.

[Rebel]

Awesome shot John, well composed.

[Geoff F]

Yes, John, definitely a strange year with many relatively common species being quite scarce while others which I haven't seen for a while regularly appearing in small numbers.

The Marmalade Flies (Episyrphus balteatus) second generation were here in good numbers during August although they do appear to have quickly declined recently.

[xpatUSA]

Yes, John, definitely a strange year with many relatively common species being quite scarce while others which I haven't seen for a while regularly appearing in small numbers.

Same over here. On my way to the barn yesterday, an armadillo suddenly appeared, first I've seen actually on the property for maybe 4 years . . and then, out on the street, a herd of no less than six deer. Been a wet year so far, maybe that has summat to do with it.

[John 2]

Thanks Matt, thanks Geoff and thanks Ted for the continued comments.

[bnnrcn]

This is beautiful John I love the composition and light . I would try darkening the leaf next to the end of the bug just a bit for a less distracting look.

[John 2]

This is beautiful John I love the composition and light . I would try darkening the leaf next to the end of the bug just a bit for a less distracting look.

Binnur, thanks for your comment. I missed it first time around.