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Not a Sun-lover, Pt. 4 - _TNY_9711

On a common yarrow (Achillea millefolium), this is a female hoverfly known as Helophilus pendulus. It is sometimes known as the sun fly which I suspect comes from someone seing "Helophilus" and thinking it said "Heliophilus" where "Helios" means sun. But without the "i", Helophilus would translate more into "marsh-lover". "Pendulus" on the other hand could be translated into hovering.

 

Another common name for this one in the UK is "The footballer" because the striped black and yellow thorax being associated with football jerseys (I think Watford FC and Hull City have black and yellow jerseys?).

 

Part 1: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/53932745032/

 

Part 2: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/54069279328/

 

Part 3 here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/54114157339/

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Uploaded on December 2, 2024
Taken on August 15, 2024