Dead Head Hoverfly Myathropa florea

Dead Head hoverfly male
Dead Head hoverfly male
The Dead Head Hoverfly, Myathropa florea, above, owes its common name to markings on its thorax which are said to resemble a human skull - someone needs a good optician. It is a medium (no pun) to large hoverfly prevalent over much of UK, Europe and North Africa. The "skull" pattern is variable, - Blondie above right having more white than is usual.
Batman hoverfly male
Batman hoverfly male
Batman hoverfly male
It is also called the Batman Hoverfly because of the perceived batlike marking on the thorax. The Dead Head Hoverfly is a wasp-mimic for protective camouflage.
Batman hoverfly male
Batman hoverfly male
Batman hoverfly male
Above are males, with large eyes meeting at the top of the head. They show typical colouring and markings.
Batman hoverfly female
Batman hoverfly female
Batman hoverfly female
The above images are of females with a space between their eyes.
Dead Head hoverfly light Above, a lighter abdomen than normal.
Dead Head hoverfly female Normal.
Dead Head hoverfly dark Darker than normal.
Dead Head hoverfly orange Above, slightly more orange (less lemon yellow) than normal.
Dead Head- type hoverfly Much lighter "skull" pattern than normal - makes "eyes" black instead of white.
Dead Head- type hoverfly This one has the thorax of a Dead Head but the abdomen of a Drone such as Eristalis horticola. - Can they hybridise?