Results 1 to 11 of 11

Thread: Is this a giant Hoverfly?

  1. #1
    Super Moderator Catherine's Avatar
    Real Name
    Catherine
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Retford, Nottinghamshire
    Posts
    3,277
    Cameras and Equipment

    Fujifilm FinePix S8200 plus Samsung J5 mobile phone camera. Chinon Compact 9-21 x 25 RB binoculars and 10x - 30x60 Zoom binoculars

    Default Is this a giant Hoverfly?

    It was in the lounge, whirring loudly like a helicopter and it flew straight for Glen.

    Big mistake!

    Out came the fly-swat, and 'Zap!' it was no more....

    Now we always help Bees to get back outside (the tumbler and postcard are always ready for 'Bee rescues') and we'd never intentionally kill a Hoverfly, but this insect sounded exactly like a Hornet - and was really BIG!

    Is it a Hoverfly, or is it a large fly of sorts, mimicking a Hoverfly?
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Hoverfly, or what 2.JPG 
Views:	735 
Size:	673.0 KB 
ID:	15011   Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Hoverfly, or what.JPG 
Views:	235 
Size:	76.3 KB 
ID:	15012  

  2. #2
    Founder Member Chocky's Avatar
    Real Name
    Beryl
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Exmouth
    Posts
    17,488
    Cameras and Equipment

    Nikon D7200 Camera. Nikon 55-300mm VR F4.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX NIKKOR SWM WAF-5 DX Micro Nikkor 40mmf/2.8G SWM DX swm ED af aspherical 18-55 With wide angle converter Nikon Coolpix S5100 Sony HandycamDCR-SR58 Hama tripod Canon Pixma iP7250 PixmaMG5500

    Default

    Yes it's a Hoverfly. Great shots. poor thing

  3. #3
    Super Moderator Catherine's Avatar
    Real Name
    Catherine
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Retford, Nottinghamshire
    Posts
    3,277
    Cameras and Equipment

    Fujifilm FinePix S8200 plus Samsung J5 mobile phone camera. Chinon Compact 9-21 x 25 RB binoculars and 10x - 30x60 Zoom binoculars

    Default

    It was an inch long and the same wide.

    I have never seen one that size before.

    As the colouring is very brownish for a Hoverfly, could it be some other fly in disguise?

    I've checked lots of pics, but cannot find one like it!

  4. #4
    Founder Member Chocky's Avatar
    Real Name
    Beryl
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Exmouth
    Posts
    17,488
    Cameras and Equipment

    Nikon D7200 Camera. Nikon 55-300mm VR F4.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX NIKKOR SWM WAF-5 DX Micro Nikkor 40mmf/2.8G SWM DX swm ED af aspherical 18-55 With wide angle converter Nikon Coolpix S5100 Sony HandycamDCR-SR58 Hama tripod Canon Pixma iP7250 PixmaMG5500

    Default

    No . It's a Hoverfly. There are several different types
    This one is probably the hoverfly: Volucella zonaria
    Here it is

  5. #5
    Super Moderator Catherine's Avatar
    Real Name
    Catherine
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Retford, Nottinghamshire
    Posts
    3,277
    Cameras and Equipment

    Fujifilm FinePix S8200 plus Samsung J5 mobile phone camera. Chinon Compact 9-21 x 25 RB binoculars and 10x - 30x60 Zoom binoculars

    Default

    It's definitely not that one, Beryl. It was the first I came across via Google.

    This one is much more brown and has no yellow at all. The one you gave link to has a lot of yellow and is two-banded.

    I know that it's having a flattish body makes it more likely to be a Hoverfly - but which one?

    I'll Google further and let you know what I find!

  6. #6
    Slightly Mad Moderator ladylouise62's Avatar
    Real Name
    Louise
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Reading, Berks (England)
    Posts
    4,209
    Cameras and Equipment

    Olympus Evolt E520, and borrowed lenses and flash. Fuji Finepix S7000 for Macro A chair :)

    Default

    This Hoverfly is a first for me, Catherine - and like you, I've not been able to spot it on Google (or elsewhere). Nice clear shot though - when we do find it we should be able to compare it well. What does amaze me is how many bands it has.. that 's just greedy!

  7. #7
    Super Moderator Catherine's Avatar
    Real Name
    Catherine
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Retford, Nottinghamshire
    Posts
    3,277
    Cameras and Equipment

    Fujifilm FinePix S8200 plus Samsung J5 mobile phone camera. Chinon Compact 9-21 x 25 RB binoculars and 10x - 30x60 Zoom binoculars

    Default

    Received this very quick reply from Gary at UK Safari;

    Thanks for your message. The swatted insect in your photo
    is a type of horsefly called Tabanus sudeticus. You can find
    details about horseflies on UK Safari here:
    Horse Flies - Tabanidae - UK Safari


    The females can give a bite, but they don't sting.

    So it's a Horsefly, and according to Wikipedia it's the heaviest 'dipteran' in Europe!

    Tabanus sudeticus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    (Not too sad that Glen swatted her now!)

  8. #8
    Slightly Mad Moderator ladylouise62's Avatar
    Real Name
    Louise
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Reading, Berks (England)
    Posts
    4,209
    Cameras and Equipment

    Olympus Evolt E520, and borrowed lenses and flash. Fuji Finepix S7000 for Macro A chair :)

    Default

    Wow - from the top it looks like a Hoverfly. so when you said
    As the colouring is very brownish for a Hoverfly, could it be some other fly in disguise?
    you were pointing in the right direction

    Interesting find.

  9. #9
    Super Moderator Catherine's Avatar
    Real Name
    Catherine
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Retford, Nottinghamshire
    Posts
    3,277
    Cameras and Equipment

    Fujifilm FinePix S8200 plus Samsung J5 mobile phone camera. Chinon Compact 9-21 x 25 RB binoculars and 10x - 30x60 Zoom binoculars

    Default

    Louise, I have to admit I was completely confused by it, so any direction I was coincidentally pointing in was pure guesswork!

    I've just read this; The Ranger's Blog - Post details: Check out this massive fly It's very informative.

    Here are some pics I took of it just now - just to compare the size to a 2p piece. The ants have been very interested in it - hence its deflated thorax I guess...!
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Giant Horsefly 1.JPG 
Views:	6577 
Size:	153.9 KB 
ID:	15029   Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Giant Horsefly 2.JPG 
Views:	2539 
Size:	170.0 KB 
ID:	15030   Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Giant Horsefly 3.JPG 
Views:	2304 
Size:	163.6 KB 
ID:	15031  
    Last edited by Catherine; 19-07-2010 at 01:13 PM.

  10. #10
    Slightly Mad Moderator ladylouise62's Avatar
    Real Name
    Louise
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Reading, Berks (England)
    Posts
    4,209
    Cameras and Equipment

    Olympus Evolt E520, and borrowed lenses and flash. Fuji Finepix S7000 for Macro A chair :)

    Default

    Wow, - one big beggar!!! YOU never really appreciate size by measurements - comparison is always better, If I can, I always take a shot of the moths etc with my thumb in shot so I can work out the size later - that's my 'rule of thumb'
    But I do feel for it with its little feet pointing up into the air

  11. #11
    Regular Member
    Real Name
    joe
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Woodley Reading
    Posts
    1,020
    Cameras and Equipment

    Nikon D300,nikon 70-200 +1.7 converter. Nikon 105 mm Macro with VR Sigma 300 with X2 converter Nikon P5000 with fieldscope and Binos Nikon D7000 Nikon 17-55 mm F2.8

    Default

    I don't want that flying in my house.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Hoverfly & mates
    By ladylouise62 in forum Insect, Invertebrate and Macro Photographs
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 01-09-2010, 07:47 PM
  2. Hoverfly
    By Chocky in forum Insect, Invertebrate and Macro Photographs
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 08-07-2010, 06:23 PM
  3. Hoverfly
    By ladylouise62 in forum Insect, Invertebrate and Macro Photographs
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 21-04-2010, 08:02 PM
  4. Another Hoverfly?
    By ladylouise62 in forum Insect, Invertebrate and Macro Photographs
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 11-09-2007, 04:06 PM
  5. Black Hoverfly
    By Chocky in forum Insect, Invertebrate and Macro Photographs
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 11-09-2007, 03:46 PM

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Copyright of members' images remains with the individual member and these images may not be reproduced or downloaded without their written permission.
If you cannot contact the relevant member for permission, please contact Thames Valley Birds and we will pass on your request.

pets and plants

WYW
Birding Top 500 Counter RSPB - Nature's Voice
The Admin Zone Directory of Forums


Top Lists