Chrysogastrini

Chrysogaster and Riponnensia

DIPTERA > BRACHYCERA | Higher Diptera

MUSCOMORPHA > ASCHIZA > Syrphoidea > Syrphidae > Eristalinae > Chrysogastrini

The Chrysogastrini tribe brings together a diverse assemblage of ten genera that include 29 species, of which only two are currently represented here.

Chrysogaster

This genus comprises three small, 5-7mm long, dark-coloured species with rather similar appearance. Two are described in the field guide; Chrysogaster cemiteriorum and Chrysogaster solstitalis, with the latter being the most widespread. They are mainly associated with woodland areas and, in locations where both species occur, may well be found together visiting umbellifers, although Chrysogaster cemiteriorum will generally be in much lower numbers. I'm not aware of seeing them in any of my local woodlands, probably because of their small size, but I did encounter one individual during a walk along a wooded track close to home. It was the more common Chrysogaster solstitalis, which has a matt black body with purplish reflections on the thorax and strongly darkened wings. The males have beautiful, bright-red eyes as can be seen in the photo below, which certainly made him stand out.

Riponnensia

Formerly considered as one of the closely related Orthonevra species, Riponnensia splendens is now separated and the sole representative of the genus. It's a rather smart little hoverfly with a shiny metallic appearance and beautiful green eyes. It's very much a wetland species that occurs alongside slow-moving rivers or streams and around pond margins, which is exactly the habitat where I found the individual featured below whilst staying at a waterside lodge in Devon.

I'm not sure why I haven't found any of the other species because there is certainly a half a dozen or so, notably Neoascia meticulosa, Neoascia podagrica, Sphegina clunipes, Melanogaster hirtella, Orthonevra noblis and Lejogaster metallina that are listed as common and widespread. Admittedly, they are mostly small, somewhat non-descript species, but that could be said for some other hoverflies. Hopefully, I will be able to feature some of these in future updates.