Little and Large

I'm always amazed at the size differences you can get in the same insect species. These two hovers were sitting about 3 in apart on one of my hebe shrubs. Think they are both Syrphus ribesii but are rather different sizes (both taken at the same mag and uncropped).

Brian V.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/ypDL​Vw

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/ypDL​VS

Both lovely pics.

Re the size difference, I mentioned to Roger M the other day about seeing the smallest Episyrphus balteatus (marmalade hover) that I had ever seen. He said it was due to the food available as a larvae and very small ones like that were probably not fertile. Makes sense as there has been few greenfly this year although black fly have been around but not in vast quantities.

Linda

Interesting stuff! lovely set Brian.

Thanks for the comments Linda and denis.
Yes I think it is caused by differences in the growth of the larvae.
Brian V.