I watched this hoverfly carefully checking and then laying an egg on the underside of a rhododendron leaf the other day. Then got a couple of shots after of it feeding on some sugar/honey syrup I'd painted on to some nearby camelia leaves before going back for some shots of the egg.
I think it's Syrphus torvus (the only Syrphus sp in the UK with hairy eyes).
I assume the egg is supposed to overwinter like that now.
Brian V.

Great set, esp like #2

Originally Posted by DeVil Great set, esp like #2

Thanks Predrag :)

How interesting that the egg overwinters. I always learn something with your posts. Hoverflies are so friendly, aren't they?

Originally Posted by Wicked_Dark How interesting that the egg overwinters. I always learn something with your posts. Hoverflies are so friendly, aren't they?

Thanks for the comments WD - yes they can be very friendly and certainly can't sting
Brian v.

Nope, not stingers. Sometimes they hang out with me on my back deck. They hover over my arm, on the chair, then alight and have a rest. Always good company.

Originally Posted by Wicked_Dark Nope, not stingers. Sometimes they hang out with me on my back deck. They hover over my arm, on the chair, then alight and have a rest. Always good company.

:) :)
Brian V.

Very good find Brian, must say don't know much about hovers life cycle .

Originally Posted by GOLDENORFE Very good find Brian, must say don't know much about hovers life cycle .

Thanks Phil for the comments.

Brian v.