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hoverfly


hoverfly
Photo Information
Copyright: Catalin Josan (methos) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 213 W: 51 N: 281] (1187)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-04-16
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel XTi, Sigma 70-300 4-5.6 APO DG MACRO, Hama UV 58 mm
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/800 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-04-21 13:06
Viewed: 712
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hi Everybody,
This time a hoverfly. I do not know what kind it is so I need any help I can get with the ID.
I posted this one because it is my first in-flight shot of an insect and I am very proud of it (at least for a first shot).

Thanks to cedryk we now have an ID: Drone fly, Eristalis sp.
European hoverfly, also known as the drone fly.

The larva, is a rat-tailed maggot. It lives in drainage ditches, pools around manure piles, sewage, and similar places containing water badly polluted with organic matter. The larva likely feeds on the abundant bacteria living in these places.

When fully grown the larva creeps out into drier habitats and seeks a suitable place to pupate. In doing so it sometimes enters buildings, especially barns and basements on farms. The pupa is 10-12 mm long, grey-brown, oval, and retains the long tail; it looks like a tiny mouse.

The adult fly that emerges from the pupa is harmless. It looks somewhat like a drone honey bee, and likely gains some degree of protection from this resemblance to a stinging insect. The adults are called drone flies because of this resemblance. They, like other hover flies, are common visitors to flowers, especially in late summer and autumn, and can be significant pollinators.

In its natural habitat is more of a curiosity than a problem, and the adults are beneficial pollinators. Drone flies have never been implicated as disease vectors and usually do not become a problem provided sewage and manure are not allowed to accumulate in pits, ponds, or streams.
from Wikipedia

What do you think about my first in-flight insect?
TFW!
Dan, ridvan has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To parvulescubio: Nu ca acasamethos 1 04-24 10:54
To cedryk: thanks a lotmethos 1 04-21 13:29
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Catalin,
very well done, it's not an easy shot but you captured this fast insect very sharp, thanks
Sabine - wishnugaruda

hello Catalin. It's a drone fly (Eristalis sp.). Very nice capture - at least for the first shot :-). Unfortunately I didn't get much further with my in-flight shots :-)
Best greetings,
Michal

Hi,
This a very difficult shot to get and you have done extremly well and you should be proud of it :-)
TFS
Goutham R

  • Great 
  • Dan Gold Star Critiquer [C: 113 W: 0 N: 2] (18)
  • [2007-04-21 15:04]

Salut Cataline,

prima ta poza cu insecta zburatoare este destul de buna, culorile sunt faine, cu clarul sunt ceva probleme. Ai tot timpul sa te antrenezi, important este sa te ajute aparatul in facutul clarului.
Felicitari, Dan.

  • Great 
  • ridvan Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 555 W: 0 N: 1134] (5196)
  • [2007-04-21 18:22]

hi catalin ; its hard thing to capture fly subjects but you did it. well comp and Bg TFS
well done
regards
ridvan

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 4 N: 3262] (14691)
  • [2007-04-22 6:55]

Catalin,
Wonderful shot and i agree with Goutham that you can not shoot while flying or on the move.
Great

sal,
bine prinsa, si probabil ca ceva munca pana a reusit.

cum e in Irlanda?
ps. da, gantera face treaba, cred ca am facut ceva biceps cu ea, la sensul propriu...

Lucian.

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