Syrphus

The quintessential yellow and black striped hoverflies, Syrphus species are a common site in any park or garden. There are three common and widespread species in the UK, ribesii, vitripennis and torvus, whilst a fourth species, rectus, has a poorly understood distribution having recently been added to the UK list. Syrphus species have long hairs on the dorsal surface of the squama (basal segment of wing) but this can be difficult to see, leading to confusion with other species which bear moustached bands, such as Eupeodes nitens and Parasyrphus species. All Syrphus species have at least the basal half of the hind tibia yellow.

Syrphus ribesii - Females with hind femur entirely yellow. Males with black hairs on yellow portion of hind femur. Both sexes with extensive covering of microtrichia on wings.

Syrphus vitripennis - Females have hind femur mostly black, basal cells of wings clear of microtrichia. Males without black hairs on yellow portion of hind femur

Syrphus torvus - Eyes densely hairy in males, less obviously so in females

Syrphus rectus - Recent addition to UK list, formerly only found in USA. Males indistinguishable from vitripennis. Females similar to ribesii, but with incomplete covering of microtrichia on the wings