Syrphini

Episyrphus, Epistrophe and Syrphus

DIPTERA > BRACHYCERA | Higher Diptera

MUSCOMORPHA > ASCHIZA > Syrphoidea > Syrphidae > Syrphinae > Syrphini

This is currently my final Syrphini tribe collection covering three closely related genera; the first of which is pretty distinctive, but the other two Epistrophe and Syphus are, in my opinion, easy to confuse.

Episyrphus

Represented by just one species Episyrphus balteatus, which happens to be Britain's most frequently recorded hoverfly. Although the background colour varies considerably as a result of the temperature at which the larvae developed, the abdominal markings are unique. It is commonly known as the Marmalade Hoverfly.

Epistrophe

There are six species in this genus which are difficult to separate, apart from Epistrophe eligans which, although variable, is quite distinctively marked. To date, it's the only one I've been able to distinguish. There are three others that could be encountered locally, Epistrophe diaphana, Epistrophe grossularia and Epistrophe nitidicollis. They look almost identical and can only be separated by looking at certain features that may be almost impossible to determine from photos.

Parasyrphus

I haven't referenced this particular genus in the page title as I haven't knowingly encountered any of the three possible species that could occur locally. They are very easily confused with Syrphus and, as such, I very much doubt that I'll personally record one other than by accident. And, even then, I would have to suspect that it would be worth checking as I often don't bother submitting photos of these species.

Syrphus

Although five species are listed only Syrphus ribesii, Syrphus torvus and Syphus vitripennis are normally considered. They are again difficult to separate without close examination so, from photos, most are left as Syrphus sp. The only possible exceptions would be a shot of a female Syrphus ribesii as below that shows the almost completely yellow hind femora or a well detailed shot of a male with hairy eyes, which would point to Syrphus torvus. The defining details for the other males and females are unlikely to be clearly visible.