British Hoverflies
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There are around 276 species of hoverflies in Britain that can range from the size of a gnat to the size of a bumble bee. A hoverfly can beat it's wings several hundred times per second in which to stay stationary in the air. There is a structure in the middle on the wing called a vena spuria, or false vein, and it is this that enables the horsefly's wings to flex and hence hover, with a up-down wing-beat which is less exhausting than a figure-of-eight acrobatic's similar to what a hummingbird must undergo to stay in the air. Hoverflies are also important pollinators and have also been known as Sweat-Flies, Syrphids and Flower Flies.
Hover flies, also called flower flies or syrphid flies, make up the insect family Syrphidae. As their common name suggests, they are often seen hovering or nectaring at flowers; the adults of many species feed mainly on nectar and pollen, while the larvae eat a wide range of foods.
Hoverflies have been a bit on the scanty side this year, despite the amount of blossom we have had. However, a trip to my favourite flowerbed at the Pineapple near Airth revealed some old favourites.
This one is Epistrophe grossulariae on a Scabious
Hover flies, also called flower flies or syrphid flies, make up the insect family Syrphidae. As their common name suggests, they are often seen hovering or nectaring at flowers; the adults of many species feed mainly on nectar and pollen, while the larvae eat a wide range of foods
Small miracle of nature
I am so happy to have so many hoverflies in my garden and on my terrace.
If I hadn't read so much about these wonderful little insects, I would have panicked while taking photos today, because I was standing in a swarm and must have had 10 on my hands. ...
This Hoverfly was licking Honey-dew, secreted by aphids, from a leaf at Low Barns Nature Reserve.
Many thanks to all who take the time to view, comment or fav my images.
Allograpta sp.
Family: Syrphidae
Order: Diptera
Location is Batemans Bay in NSW, Australia. The photo was taken in March 2021.
The flower is Scaevola.
DSC04880
Small miracle of nature
I am so happy to have so many hoverflies in my garden and on my terrace.
If I hadn't read so much about these wonderful little insects, I would have panicked while taking photos today, because I was standing in a swarm and must have had 10 on my hands. ...
WO ES SOMMER SCHREIT, SIND FLIEGEN & CO NICHT WEIT.
Manche akrobatischen Übungen erfordern so viel Konzentration, dass man vor lauter Anstrengung Stielaugen bekommt!
Gemeine Feldschwebfliege bei der Paarung (Eupeodes corollae)
Merkmale:
7 mm groß,
gelbe Beine mit schwarzen Hüften,
gelbes Gesichtchen,
Wanderart
Mit ihrer Gelb-Schwarz-Zeichnung ahmt die harmlose Schwebfliege eine aggressive Wespe oft mit großem Erfolg nach.
A hoverfly in my back yard doing its thing. Thanks to everyone in my last upload of one of these to tell me what it's called.
This was taken with a manual focus FD 100mm macro lens coupled to my DSLR with a glassless adaptor. Focussing method was to sway back and forth while this little critter was hovering still. Quite a challenge - I won't tell you how many blurry out-takes I got to get this shot!
This hoverfly kept coming back to the same general location, so I grabbed the macro lens to catch it mid-flight. This is hand held, manual focus. The benefit I derived from the Z 9 wasn't autofocus, but the EVF gave me focus peaking, allowing better determination of the in-focus state.
This little hoverfly is an absolute sunworshipper, and a true spring/summer insect. Melanostoma scalare, female.