Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Meliscaeva auricollis (male)
Posted by Liliane D on 28-02-2024 19:43
#1
Hello,
February 28, 2024, in the south of France.
Body: 8 mm
On peach blossom.
Are the very long legs III specific to a genus?
Thank you for your help with identification.
Edited by Liliane D on 07-03-2024 09:25
Posted by Liliane D on 28-02-2024 19:45
#2
others views
Posted by Liliane D on 03-03-2024 12:00
#3
At this time of year, at the end of February and beginning of March, I don't see many Syrphidae species. Does the date help with identification?
Posted by eklans on 05-03-2024 15:44
#4
Hello, it's quite hard to see, but I think it could be a male
Melangyna quadrimaculata. The early date would support this species.
Posted by Liliane D on 05-03-2024 16:43
#5
Many thanks, Eric,
I hadn't come across this genus yet and I imagine that on my other subject https://diptera.info/forum/viewthread.php?thread_id=112593 it's a female of the same genus?
I see that the male
Melangyna quadrimaculata has 4 spots on the abdomen. Here, there are indeed 4 main spots and the other 2 small spots towards the base are very discreet and should not be an obstacle to identification.
Posted by Fred Fly on 06-03-2024 07:27
#6
But it is a darker (winter-) form of Meliscaeva auricollis!
Regards
Fred
Posted by Liliane D on 07-03-2024 09:24
#7
Thanks Fred for the new orientation,
I've seen this species before, but the shape of the spots is so variable that I didn't make the connection!