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Hoverflies (Syrphidae), tribe Bacchini

Smallish hoverflies, with variable amounts of yellow marking. Wings often held over the abdomen when resting. Larvae predatory, often on aphids.

Baccha elongata (Fabricius, 1775)

Baccha elongata
  • Cambridge: 12 Jul 2001; female
  • The thin abdomen is very distinctive when flying
  • Less easy to catch on photo, as it likes shady places
  • Only one UK species now recognised in this genus (Chandler, 1998)
  • 9.5mm long

Platycheirus scutatus (Meigen, 1822)

Platycheirus clypeatus (Meigen, 1822)

Platycheirus scutatus and P. clypeatus
  • Left: P. scutatus Cambridge: 26 May 2001; male
  • Right: P. clypeatus Cambridge: 23 Apr 2001; male
  • To same scale: both are about 9mm long.
  • P. scutatus has smaller yellow markings: also a spur of hair on the front tibia (not seen here).
  • Platycheirus spp. normally rest with wings concealing the markings, making recognition of live specimens very difficult.

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