[Syrphidae] Episyrphus balteatus (De Geer, 1776)

[christian thompson]

Chris:

There is no question that Episyrphus balteatus is undoubtedly one of the
most widespread (naturally) flower fly. And it is one of the most variable
species as well as being migratorial. So, while most specialists agree that
balteatus is widespread throughout the Palaearctic region, the status of it
in the Oriental remains unsettled. 

Brunetti once wrote "I have generally adopted the principle that anything
that looks like balteatus, is balteatus." But others (de Meijere, Shiraki)
feel at least nectarinus (sterna with black fasciae, scutellum black pilose,
etc.) and viridaureus (sterna with black fasciae, scutellum yellow pilose,
etc.) are separate species. 

I tend to go with the splitter and think we will at least in India and
probably Indochina that we have 3 "balteatus"-like species, but much more
careful, controlled work must be done first to settle this, especially given
the work Dusek & Laska did on the pattern variation. 

So, that's isn't the answer you wanted, but ...
 
>>> Chris Raper <chris.raper@hartslock.org.uk> 06/27 6:39 PM >>>

Hi

I was wondering if anyone could tell me how widespread (around the
world) the common UK hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus (De Geer, 1776) is?
I have just received some Malaise trapped material from Malaysia - I'm
not particularly interested in the Syrphidae but I just notice one
looked strangely familiar...

Best wishes,
Chris R.


_______________________________________________
Syrphidae mailing list
Syrphidae@nottingham.ac.uk 
http://lists.nottingham.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/syrphidae

F. Christian Thompson
Systematic Entomology Lab., ARS, USDA
Smithsonian Institution
Washington, D. C. 20560-0169
(202) 382-1800 voice
(202) 786-9422 FAX
cthompso@sel.barc.usda.gov
visit our Diptera site at www.diptera.org