Species: Tapered Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax)
Family: Hoverflies (SYRPHIDAE)
Category: Insects (Other)
Location: Widespread
A. Insects (Other)
More extensive information on insects can be found in a separate blog post.
B. Hoverflies (SYRPHIDAE)
True to their name, the hoverflies hover around flowers, and then alight to feed on nectar and pollen. They are very important pollinators, and despite the fact that some look like wasps or bees, this is just mimicry and helps to keep potential predators at bay. Hoverflies have no sting, and have short, drooping antennae. The larvae are as useful as the adults, in that they feed on aphids.
We have a photograph-filled blog post about all the hoverflies that we have seen in the Cemetery that may be worth your time.
C. Tapered Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax)
The Tapered Drone Fly, Eristalis pertinax is one of our commonest and easiest to identify hoverflies. It appears throughout Britain between March to November.
Its distinctive triangular abdominal shape is one feature that sets it apart from other hoverflies in the Eristalis family. The orange (rather than brown) of the tarsi (lower sections) of its front and mid legs is another feature. The lack of a curved and thickened hind tibia (middle section of the leg) sets it apart from the otherwise largely similar Eristalis tenax.
Images
Tapered Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax)
Tapered Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax) has a distinctive triangular abdominal shape is one feature that sets it apart from other hoverflies in the Eristalis family.
