Front legs hold the key

 Continued poor weather for insects have held up my plans and ambitions for the 100 hoverfly attempt but a new one at last appeared in the garden.

This was a Platycheirus, which are notoriously difficult to identify so I was pleased to actually catch it as it shot through a patch of Vinca flowers.

Under the microscope I was able to see the critical features and then tried to get allternative photos rather than my usual Phone held to eyepiece variety. This involved various attempts to use a steady light or a hand held flash.

   White-footed Sedgesitter

Again but with flash

The second shot shows the silvery, rather than yellow, abdominal markings that together with two leg features identify this male as the common P. albimanus (AKA White-footed Hoverfly in some sources)

I spent ages trying to get reasonable photos of the key features and am aware of how much room for improvement there is

Tangled hairs on the front femur show up nicely here

                  And finally, the square shape of tarsal segment 2 and overall modified front tarsi

A Lunuled Aphideater( Eupeodes luniger,) also from my garden was enough to raise my year list to 6 species this week despite field trips being foiled by weather and road closures. A further rain filled week is forecast which means it may be nearly April before I can see much new. Who knows for sure though so I will keep trying. At least I can keep going with photos