[NatureNS] Odd Fly

Date: Fri, 20 Oct 2006 00:33:09 -0300
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
From: Angus MacLean <angusmcl@ns.sympatico.ca>
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Thanks, Chris. I believe from some research I did since yesterday that
these are mimics of Potter Wasps. Does that sound reasonable? (of course
Tiphiid wasps are also a possibility).<br>
Angus<br><br>
At 07:11 PM 10/19/2006, Chris Majka wrote:<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">Hi Angus,<br><br>
On 18-Oct-06, at 9:39 PM, Angus MacLean wrote:<br><br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">I believe I can see the haltere
on this creature, so a fly, but the abdomen is so oddly shaped (like a
wasp) and brightly coloured that I wonder. Unfortunately I was only able
to get this one photo before it flew. Does anyone know what it
is?<br><br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=273483144&amp;size=m">
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=273483144&amp;size=m</a><br><br>
The abdomen suggests a Robber Fly but the wings appear too
small/frail.</blockquote><br>
This is another syrphid fly. It is a member of the genus
<i>Sphaerophoria</i>. See for example:<br><br>
<a href="http://www.veluwe-insecten.nl/zweefvliegen/sphaerophoria/sphaerophoria.html">
http://www.veluwe-insecten.nl/zweefvliegen/sphaerophoria/sphaerophoria.html</a>
<br>
<a href="http://popgen.unimaas.nl/~jlindsey/commanster/Insects/Flies/SpFlies/Sphaerophoria.interrupta.jpg" eudora="autourl">
http://popgen.unimaas.nl/~jlindsey/commanster/Insects/Flies/SpFlies/Sphaerophoria.interrupta.jpg</a>
<br><br>
We have a large assortment of these species in our collection.
Unfortunately, almost all of them are labeled (by Vockeroth who
determined the series in 1971) as <i>Sphaerophoria</i> species (i.e.
unidentified) or <i>Sphaerophoria</i> sp. nov. (i.e. an undescribed
species) although there are a couple of specimens of <i>Sphaerophoria
philanthus</i> Mg. So, at this stage, <i>Sphaerophoria</i> sp. is as far
as I can go with the determination.<br><br>
All the best!<br><br>
Chris<br><br>
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