Long Hoverfly Sphaerophoria scripta

Sphaerophoria scripta hoverfly male
Sphaerophoria scripta hoverfly male
The Long Hoverfly, Sphaerophoria scripta, is so called as the male is elongated. It looks very different to most other UK hoverflies. Moreover the male, above, looks very different to the female.
Sphaerophoria scripta hoverfly male
Sphaerophoria scripta hoverfly male
Sphaerophoria scripta hoverfly female
The male (above left and centre) has a tubular body longer than his wings (unlike other elongated hoverflies).
Sphaerophoria scripta hoverfly female
Sphaerophoria scripta hoverfly female
Sphaerophoria scripta hoverfly female
The female (above) has a less-elongated, broader body finishing in a point.
Sphaerophoria scripta hoverfly male
Sphaerophoria scripta hoverfly male
Sphaerophoria scripta hoverfly male
A wasp mimic common throughout most of Europe (and possibly migrating to UK), the pattern and colouring of the abdomen is variable.