The insect crisis has encouraged me to focus in on the small things that should be surrounding us. As that has developed, so has my interest in hoverflies. There are in the region of 280 different hoverfly species in Britain. As I encounter and photograph these miniature marvels in all their variety, they will show up here.
The Latin name is what matters when discussing insects, hoverflies included. However, a common English name is helpful in certain circumstances. The ones used here are those adopted by Steven Falk on his Flickr pages for hoverflies.
Two reference books on British hoverflies deserve special mention:
- Britain’s Hoverflies by Stuart Ball and Roger Morris; published by WILDGuides Ltd., 2015. A third edition will be published in Spring 2024. (Buy from NHBS.)
- British Hoverflies by Alan E. Stubbs and Steven J. Falk; published by the British Entomological and Natural History Society, first published in 1983, second edition reprinted in 2012. (Buy from NHBS.) Steven Falk’s illustrations at the back of this volume, as the book’s introduction says, “are widely acknowledged to be some of the finest painted for any group of British insects”. He was a mere 21 years old when the book went to press, but started work on the artwork at the age of 15! (Steven Falk’s website.)
An example Steven Falk illustration, photographed from British Hoverflies by Alan E. Stubbs and Steven J. Falk:
(All photographs are copyright © Rob Tomlinson, unless stated otherwise.)