Posted by SteveC on 16-04-2009 22:33
#1
Hi all,
revisiting some images from a Dorset holiday in 2004 I came across a few images of a bee-fly which I initially labelled as B. canescens but now I have the Larger Brachycera guide I'm not so sure it isn't B. minor. It was found on the cliff top path midway betwen Studland village and Old Harry rocks for any one who knows that area [it is chalk grassland].
Can anyone help resolve this one please.
Also I had B. discolor in my Swindon garden for the first time ever on Easter Monday [as well as several B. major].
I still can't seem to get this image posting right so please view the image at my Flickr photostream:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/15121707@N00/3448299694/
Many thanks,
Steve.
Edited by SteveC on 16-04-2009 22:42
Posted by David Gibbs on 16-04-2009 23:11
#2
In this country
B. minor is found on heathland,
B. canescens on coastal slopes and calcareous grasslands. Thus your specimen should be
B. canescens, but it isn't! Looks just like female
B. minor to me. On the continent this species can be found in any warm dry habitat so perhaps it is spreading out from Studland Heath as climate warms up.
Posted by SteveC on 17-04-2009 21:27
#3
Thanks for that David. I had initially discounted
B. minor because of the habitat. Perhaps some stiff North or North Westerly winds blew it down from the heath?!
Cheers,
Steve.