DIPTERA > BRACHYCERA | Higher Diptera

MUSCOMORPHA > ASCHIZA >  Syrphoidea > Syrphidae > Syrphinae > Bacchini

The Bacchini tribe includes 30 species within four genera, Bacca, Melanostoma, Platycheirus and Xanthandrus - with Platycheirus being the largest genus by far with 25 species, which is a good enough reason to feature it separately on the next page.  

Bacca

Despite being common and widespread it took me a while to find the rather elusive Bacca elongata, which is the sole member of the genus. They are mainly found in woodland, scrub or in hedgerows where they tend to stay low down in shaded areas. Their small size and very slender build make them pretty much unmistakable but, once found, they can prove quite difficult to photograph. 

Melanostoma

There are three species in this genus; two of which are common and frequently recorded, the other with doubtful recognition. The two widespread species are Melanostoma mellinum and Melanostoma scalare. They are very similar and require careful examination to separate and, therefore, are often unidentifiable from photos, in which case they need to be left as Melanostoma sp. The two named species featured below were both officially confirmed.

Xanthandrus

Represented by a single, relatively large species, Xanthandrus comtus, which is described as being widespread although quite scarce, but more frequent along the south coast. However, further research confirms that although the species used to be frequently recorded in some areas, including both Dorset (VC9) and South Hampshire (VC11) in the past, it went through a decline almost to the point of being regarded as a rarity. In fact, the last records locally according to the NBN Atlas are over twenty years old. More current data from the Hoverfly Recording Scheme indicates a slow recovery and, although some of these newer records have come from around my general area, they are few and far between. Hopefully, at some point, I'll be able to add this species to my list, but for now it's one I've yet to see.

Sept.24