Syrphini

Leucozona, Dasysyrphus and Scaeva

DIPTERA > BRACHYCERA | Higher Diptera

MUSCOMORPHA > ASCHIZA > Syrphoidea > Syrphidae > Syrphinae > Syrphini

Whilst this collection features three more Syrphini genera in taxonomic order, I should note that Doros and Eriozona each with a single scarce species, and Didea with three species, are not represented. The only one of these that I might be able to find is the woodland species Didea fasciata but, as yet, that species has eluded me.

Leucozona

There are three distinctive members of this genus with Leucozona lucorum being the most frequently recorded. It is one of the early season hoverflies with most sightings occurring from mid-April to early June. The other two species are Leucozona glaucia and Leucozona laternaria. The females are particularly attractive as they have somewhat unusual pale blue-grey abdominal markings. I would love to find one of these but, despite being listed as widespread and relatively common in woodland areas, the latest distribution maps show that for some reason it is rarely recorded locally.

Dasysyrphus

Of the seven listed species, Dasysyrphus albostriatus and Dasysyrphus venustus are by far the most widespread and frequently recorded. Dasysyrpus tricinctus is also widespread, but with more scattered distribution as it's primarily a coniferous woodland and heathland hoverfly. The other species are currently treated as part of either a D.venustus or D.pinastri complex. In this respect I should note that both the male I photographed at Garston Wood and the female at Kitt's Grave were both checked and confirmed as Dasysyrphus venustus agg. meaning they're part of that complex. I have to admit that I thought the male was a Eupeodes species, but it was pointed out that the strongly haired eyes rule out Eupeodes, whilst the elongate and blackened stigma is typical of Dasysyrphus.

Scaeva

Although there are five recorded species, only Scaeva selenitica and Scaeva pyrastri are normally considered as the other three are vagrants. Scaeva pyrastri is by far the most common and widespread.

Sept.24