New hover for this year

had a visit from another one of the large Volucella sp. hoverflies Yesterday, Volucella inanis. Unfortunately I had the MPE-65 when I spotted it so had trouble fitting it in at the min mag of 1:1.

brian V.

Click on Pics for larger size

IMAGE LINK: http://farm2.static.fl​ickr.com …01999831_328003​ab6a_o.jpg

IMAGE LINK: http://farm2.static.fl​ickr.com …01999757_3b929b​373c_o.jpg

Don't you hate your MPE65 This species seems to have hairy eyes Great captures

How large is large? At 1:1 does that make these guys almost an inch long? Beautiful catch though. I like the greenery he’s standing on. Looks like some kind of lichen.

Wonderful pics again Brian.

That's a monster hover fly, especially if these are not crops. I should think it sounds like a helicopter when flying...

Thanks for the comments- no the shots are uncropped- works out at 16mm body length so not as big as the recent Volucella zonaria shots I've done- that one is about 20mm.

Brian V.

Lovely shots of it too. Good to see a different one appearing - one for me to look out for too.

Linda

If the mPE65 went down to about 1:3 it would be perfect; as it is you need a backup body with a normal macro just in case. Most of your work is done in your garden so no excuse!
Love these big hovers.

Great set, Brian. --Rick

Thanks Linda RM and Rick for looking and commenting
RM- quite right but I dislike having both bodies with me at the same time-too much chance of damaging one or forgetting where I put it . I actually went back into the house to get the 350D body/sigma 105 (placed strategically by the door) but of course it had gone when I got back
In the end I was happy just to see it - pic was an added bonus
brian V.

Lovely shots Brian. I usually get whipsawed with the wrong lens or such . I usually see bugs when I am tripod mounted shooting my plants. By the time I get it off and the right lens on, the bug is gone.

Irwin

Super shots Brian. Think #2 is the better, just a tad more in focus.