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larose forest photos | all galleries >> INSECTS (INSECTA) (28 Galleries) >> Flies (Diptera) (38 Galleries) >> Hover Flies (Family: Syrphidae) >> Hover Flies (Genus: Spilomyia) > Hover fly (Spilomyia longicornis)
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23-AUG-2013 Christine Hanrahan

Hover fly (Spilomyia longicornis)

Cumberland Forest. You'd be forgiven for thinking this was a wasp, perhaps a Yellowjacket! But it is not, it is a fly! Isn't it an amazing wasp mimic? I was lucky enough to see both this and Spilomyia sayi, another hover fly wasp mimic, within metres of each other.

You can tell this is a fly and not a wasp, by the eyes and the antennae, and the lack of a 'wasp waist'. But it needs to be sitting still to see those features.

Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
1/80s f/3.2 at 5.0mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
Gillian24-Sep-2014 23:29
Wow, I'm glad I checked your galleries! I was out photographing the hover flies in my asters this afternoon and saw this species. I thought it was a wasp and kept my distance - it moved more slowly and deliberately than the other hover flies, and it was much larger. Now that I've looked closer I can see the antennae on him. Thanks for pointing that out!
Len25-Aug-2013 03:34
Great shot and informative!!!!V.
Stephanie24-Aug-2013 12:34
Fascinating info and capture Christine! What would we do without your expertise? V
Jim Coffman24-Aug-2013 12:23
A very nice sharp closeup!Great detail!
Yvonne24-Aug-2013 10:18
Interesting to read the difference, superb shot & interesting leaf! v
marko gregoric24-Aug-2013 09:19
Nice close-up. V
Irene Wehrli24-Aug-2013 08:18
Pretty one - I love them, they do not hurt..
Irene
Torben Jorgensen24-Aug-2013 07:46
Spectacular eyes and pattern. Excellent shot. V
borisalex24-Aug-2013 07:36
Hi there...busy as always! V.
laine24-Aug-2013 05:23
an excellent macro...pretty details!
Ann Shapiro24-Aug-2013 04:38
Great shot - love the detail. We've got Hover flies here too - they are neat! V
joseantonio24-Aug-2013 04:06
great find and capture. Love those colors.V.
Sam Rua24-Aug-2013 03:55
Wickedly cool markings -- even the eyes. Cool find.
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