Nature Guide UK - Hoverflies

There are over 200 species of hoverfly in the UK, with a wide range of appearances. All hoverflies belong in the family Syrphidae, and share the characteristic of a 'spurious' vein in the wings, which does not terminate in another vein or at the edge of the wing. In most cases hoverflies are easily recognised and this characteristic will not need to be checked. Most UK hoverflies can be identified from external characteristics, although in some cases this will require recourse to a specimen. For a few species, most notably those in the genus Sphaerophoria, it is necessary to refer to the genitalia to confirm the identification. The best resource for hoverfly identification is Stubbs and Falk's guide to British hoverflies.

Volucella - Large species with distinctive yellow 'nose'. 5 UK species

Sericomyia - Large and distinctive species. 2 UK species.

Rhingia - Odd looking hoverflies with long mouthparts hidden inside a beak like protruberance. 2 UK species

Callicera - Spectacular golden shining hoverflies with long pointed antennae - 3 UK species.

Eristalis - Medium to large species, mostly honeybee mimics. 10 UK species

Eristalinus - Medium sized species with distinctive spotted eyes. 2 UK species

Chrysotoxum - Medium sized species with bold black and yellow markings. 8 UK species

Xanthogramma - Medium sized species with striking bright yellow markings. 3 UK species

Myathropa florea - Common and distinctive species

Syrphus - Small to medium sized species with black and yellow moustached bands - 4 UK species

Epistrophe - Medium to large species, usually with bands on the abdomen. Yellowish sides to thorax and mostly yellow legs. 6 UK species

Didea - Small to medium sized species with distinctively shaped bands on the abdomen. 3 UK species

Eupeodes - Small to medium sized species with comma shaped markings, sometimes merged to form bands - 7 widespread UK species

Scaeva - Large species with lunulate markings and inflated frons. 2 common UK species, and one very rare immigrant species.

Dasysyrphus - Medium sized species with distinctive yellow and black abdominal markings - 6 UK species

Helophilus - Medium sized species with black and yellow striped thoraxes. 3 widespread UK species and 2 very rare/vagrant species

Leucozona - Distinctive species with pale markings on the abdomen. 3 UK species.

Xylota - Ichneumon imitating species with unobtrusive markings

Hammerschmidtia ferruginea (Aspen Hoverfly): A very rare species of Scottish aspen groves. Like a large, reddish Xylota in appearance.

Pipiza - Dark, unobtrusive hoverflies which are often extremely difficult to identify.

Episyrphus balteatus - Extremely common hoverfly with distinctive markings

Meligramma: Small species with yellow markings.

Meliscaeva - Small species with narrow bodies. Bands or spots on the abdomen.

Melangyna - Another group of small species with yellow markings on the abdomen.

Melanostoma - Small species, males have slender tibiae and tarsi, females with distinctive triangular spots.

Ferdinandea - Unusual hoverflies with shiny brassy abdomens. 2 UK species, one common and widespread, one very rare.

Cheilosia - Large genus of mainly black hoverflies. Identification is often very difficult

Platycheirus - Another large and difficult genus. Males often have elaborate front tarsi.

Syritta pipiens: A single common and widespread species. Unobstrusive, but distinctive once known.

Merodon equestris: A single common and widespread bumblebee mimic. Variable, but thick black legs are distinctive.

Criorhina: Charismatic but elusive bumblebee mimicking species associated with ancient woodland. 4 UK species.

Melanogaster - Small dark hoverflies of bogs and wetland areas

Chrysogaster: Small, stubby hoverflies with metallic reflections. 3 UK species associated with wetland areas.

Orthonevra: Another genus of small metallic hoverflies found in wetland habitats. 4 UK species

Riponnensia splendens: Another small, metallic, wetland hoverfly, but reasonably distinctive once known.

Baccha elongata: Highly distinctive species with a very elongated abdomen.

Sphaerophoria: A large genus which mostly requires a specimen to identify, although the commonest species, S.scripta has distinctive males whose abdomens extend past the wingtips.

Parasyrphus

Paragus: Tiny dark hoverflies of grassland areas.

Anasimyia

Chalcosyrphus

Pipizella

Parhelophilus

Portevinia maculata

Sphegina

Microdon