Hoverfly Det's results

I have received the results of the specimens I sent Roger Morris of the HRS in early November, which were specimens that I had gathered in the valley throughout 2016 and the results were better than expected. With 6 new species for the valley and many difficult species confirmed by determination rather than photographs.

New for Valley

Neoascia tenur -                      Lletty Brongu sewage works, Maesteg   05 Jul 16
Cheilosia longula -                  Blaencaerau, Maesteg   13 Jul 16
Melangyna labiatarum -        Blaencaerau, Maesteg   13 Jul 16
Parasyrphus vittiger -             Garnwen, Maesteg   04 Aug 16
Sphaerophoria interrupta -    Darren-y-Bannau, Caerau, Maesteg   05 Aug 16
Sphaerophoria philanthus -   Garnwen, Maesteg   10 Aug 16

Species Difficult to ID from photos confirmed [already on list]

Melanogaster hirtella                    Sphegina clunipes
Neoascia podagrica                       Paragus haemorrhous
Syrphus vitripennis                       Cheilosia Proxima
Cheilosia fraterna [new for me]  Sphegina elegans

Common species also determined which are easy from photos

Syrphus torvus, Melanostoma mellinum, Platycheirus albimanus,
Chrysogaster solstitialis, Cheilosia bergenstammi, Cheilosia impressa,
Xylota jakutorum, Platycheirus scutatus, Melanostoma scalare,
Syrphus ribesii, Cheilosia variabilis, Cheilosia pagana,
Platycheirus angustatus

So the valley list jumps from 109 to 115, to celebrate here's my 5 favourite Hoverflies of the year 2016. See if you can ID them as a Christmas Quiz.