We welcomed two more fly species to the Garden list in recent days. First off we recorded our 22nd species of Hoverfly in the Garden in the form of Melanostoma scalare, more locally known as the Chequered Hoverfly. The rather slim specimen photographed below is a male, the female has a more rounded abdomen. It is seen here on Marsh Marigold, which is itself managing to survive having being added to the compost heap. The yellow abdominal markings on the hoverfly being longer than they are wide is indicative of males of this species.
The next species has no English name, instead just the Latin name Fannia lustrator. At least this is the species we believe it to be, there are several others that look similar. However we managed to get some close ups, like the one below, and this highlighted enough characteristics to make us feel comfortable making a guess at species level identification.
Both these species are widespread and common and have probably been overlooked to date.
Flies are a tricky order of insects to record due to difficulties in identification, and are as such under recorded in the Garden and elsewhere in the Countryside. The Dipterist Forum and Nature Spot are good sources of information that will help identify and classify species found.
DC:
Wildlife Garden 