Bird, bug, butterfly and a wild variety of photos from Belarus, Cyprus, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Scotland and Spain by Irish wildlife photographer Patrick J. O'Keeffe and invited guests

Showing posts with label Curraghchase Forest Park. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Curraghchase Forest Park. Show all posts

Friday 20 August 2021

BATMAN HOVERFLY (Myathropa florea) female Curraghchase Forest Park, Co. Limerick, Ireland


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Click external link here for detailed species information
 
The Batman Hoverfly (Myathropa florea) is of the family Syrphidae which is in the genus Myathropa. This common species occurs in Europe as well as  parts of North Africia.The flight season is from from mid April to late October. Even darker individuals show the diagnostic "batman logo" shape on the lower half of the  thorax and hence its common name.
 
 
Tapered Dronefly (Eristalis pertinax) or Tapered Hoverfly male on left and Batman Hoverfly (Myathropa florea) female nectering on Common Blackberry flowers  (Rubus fruticosus).
 
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds  
 
Reference and highly recommended reading:
Britain's Hoverflies A field guide 2nd edition Stuart Ball and Roger Morris

Thursday 19 August 2021

FURRY HOVERFLY or FURRY DRONEFLY (Eristalis intricaria) female Curraghchase Forest Park, Co. Limerick, Ireland


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Click external link here for detailed species information
Click external link here for Ireland and European distribution maps
 
The Furry Hoverfly (Eristalis intricaria) or Furry Dronefly is of the family Syrphidae which is in the genus Eristalis. This sexually diamorphic ( and have different characteristics) European species is on the wing from April to September. Males in particular need to be separated with care from other hoverfly bumblebee mimics. Id feature; hind legs dark with partially pale tibiae.
 
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds  
 
Reference and highly recommended reading:
Britain's Hoverflies A field guide 2nd edition Stuart Ball and Roger Morris

Wednesday 18 August 2021