DIPTERA > BRACHYCERA | Higher Diptera

MUSCOMORPHA > ASCHIZA >  Syrphoidea > Syrphidae > Eristalinae > Pipizini

There are twenty species in this tribe separated into five genera. Only eight of the twenty though are actually described in the 'field guide', which implies that the remainder are either rare or only occasionally encountered. To date, I've only seen and photographed four individuals all of which are featured below.

Pipiza

Of the seven recognised Pipiza species, only three are described, which for reference are Pipiza austriaca, Pipiza luteitarsis and Pipiza noctiluca. They are all medium-sized, black coloured hoverflies with a flat hairy face. They cannot be separated or reliably distinguished from photos so are always recorded as Pipiza sp. 

Pipizella

There are three species in this genus, one of which is nationally scarce. The other two, Pipizella viduata and Pipizella virens are inseparable from photos and, although the former is the more widespread species, they should be left undetermined unless you have a good side-on view of the antennae as there are some small differences that may indicate a likely candidate. In the case of the individual I photographed alongside the River Stour, there is not enough detail, so it needs to be left as Pipizella sp.

Sept.24