Episyrphus balteatus
Sirfide
Canon 40D + Sigma 70 macro
Iso200 - 1/100sec. - F10
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Syrphidae
Subfamily: Syrphinae
Tribe: Syrphini
Genus: Episyrphus
Species: E. balteatus
Episyrphus balteatus, sometimes called the marmalade hoverfly, is a relatively small hoverfly (9–12 mm) of the Syrphidae family, widespread throughout all continents. Like most other hoverflies it mimics a much more dangerous insect, the solitary wasp, though it is a quite harmless species. The upper side of the abdomen is patterned with orange and black bands. Two further identification characters are the presence of secondary black bands on the 3rd and 4th dorsal plates and of faint greyish longitudinal stripes on the thorax.
E. balteatus can be found throughout the year in various habitats, including urban gardens, visiting flowers for pollen and nectar. They often form dense migratory swarms, which may cause panic among people for its resemblance to wasps. It is among the very few species of flies capable of crushing pollen grains and feeding on them. The larva is terrestrial and feeds on aphids.
As in most other hoverflies, males can be easily identified by their holoptic eyes, i.e., left and right compound eyes touching at the top of the head.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Episyrphus_balteatus
Gianluca Mariani Nature Photographer 26/03/2012 8:07
una macro eccezionale! brava buon clic ciaoAdriano Morettin 02/05/2010 17:38
complimenti Melania, l'ho votato ma non sapevo che era tua. Bellissima veramente.Polonioli Marco 30/04/2010 21:13
complimenti bellissima ciao MarcoAlessandro Da Basso 29/04/2010 10:41
decisamente FANTASTICAAAAAAbrava
Alex
Seby Privitera 28/04/2010 23:03
congratulazioniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiLeonardo F. 26/04/2010 9:46
Davvero fantastica Melania.Quello sfondo lilla una vera chicca !!!!!!!!!!!Daniele Musiari 25/04/2010 20:22
mamma mia che macro!complimenti Melania.
ciao Daniele
Tullio Corradini 25/04/2010 8:13
Macro stupenda!!!!Stupendi colori,e inquadratura!!!Complimenti Melania!!!
brithiebird 25/04/2010 2:33
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Un caro saluto. Brigitte
Carlo Schicchio 24/04/2010 23:38
Bellissima immagine macro al top brava un caro saluto CarloSergio Storai 24/04/2010 22:49
La solita perfezione di macro che ti contraddistingue!Bravissima,
ciao!
Giuseppe Minniti 24/04/2010 22:46
Grande Melania!!!!Ammirazione.
Ciao
Ser
Vinicio Sforzi 24/04/2010 22:40
Perfetta,bravissima!Vinicio.
Fons van Swaal 24/04/2010 22:02
EXCELLENT WORK.......!!!!!Compliments,
F....
andrea hallgass 24/04/2010 21:22
perfetta e perfettamente ambientata .... sempre bravissimaciao ... andrea