Hoverflies in the first half of 2011

To complement the article that I wrote on Dragonflies and Damselflies seen in the area up to July 2011 (see here), this one on hoverflies might be in order. I have to confess a lack of detailed knowledge of this group, and - to a greater degree perhaps than dragonflies - hoverflies warrant in many cases much more detailed examination to ascertain the correct species. Without making apologies, there must be a warning that the identifications presented here may not be accurate. However, it should act as an indication of the species that may be present in the area.

The first hoverfly sighted in 2011, Syrphus torvus, was on 28th March in the City of London Cemetery . This was feeding on the flowers of willow at the north edge of the Birches area. The next two species - both seen in my garden in Capel Road on 6th April - were both possibly Eupeodes species: Eupeodes luniger and Eupeodes niter. In the garden on 8th April was Epistrophe eligans, on 19th April Episyrphus balteatus, on 20th April a female Platycheirus ambiguus and, possibly, a Pipizella viduata, on 21st April possibly Melanostoma scalare. On 23rd April the distinctive Baccha elongata was in the garden, as well as Sphaerophoria scripta. Moving to Wanstead Park, on 25th April possibly Eristalis intricarius. Back to the garden, on 26th April the large Myathropa florea was photographed.

In May, Episyrphus balteatus was present in the garden on10th and Eristalis tenax on 11th. This species is very common, and - as is true of some of the other species mentioned - there were others present at other locations in the Wanstead area. There was also a Helophilus species in the garden on 11th, and more certainly Helophilus pendulus on 13th. Again pretty certainly - because it is so striking -  was Xanthogramma pedissequum, in the garden on 15th, and in Wanstead Park on 20th. Uncertain, though, was a Neoascia species, also in the Park on the 20th May The next species recognised was Volucella pellucens, in Wanstead Park on 24th. Another particularly uncertain identification was of Cheilosia albitarsis, in Wanstead Park on 30th May.

In June, Eupeodes luniger was more certainly identified in the garden, on 13th, and many hoverflies were in evidence throughout the area, but thus far no new species, but in July - again amongst many species - Volucella inflata was seen in Wanstead Park on 9th, Syrphus vitripennis was in the Exchange Lands on 10th, possibly Eristalis arbustorum in Wanstead Park on 11th and what appeared to be Eristalis pertinax on Wanstead Flats on 12th. This brings the number of species thus far to 22. A  list of species - in alphabetical order - with locations where seen is presented below. Note that details of locations is not fully presented.

Paul Ferris, 13th July 2011