2 of 2: purple tree orchid and wasp (if I do say so myself this is one of my best)

[JBW]

[bnnrcn]

Very nice details in the wings and very nice colours

[Shadowman]

Agreed.

[Geoff F]

I think you have this one totally wrong, Brian!

Look at what we can see of those antennae. Surely this is a fly not a wasp.

Just a pure guess but it does look a bit like one of the Picture-winged flies by its stance.

There should be sufficient clear detail there for a reasonable attempt at identification. Certainly a good shot.

In the UK we have quite a few flies which are wasp or bee mimics like this.

[JBW]

I think you have this one totally wrong, Brian!

Look at what we can see of those antennae. Surely this is a fly not a wasp.

Just a pure guess but it does look a bit like one of the Picture-winged flies by its stance.

There should be sufficient clear detail there for a reasonable attempt at identification. Certainly a good shot.

In the UK we have quite a few flies which are wasp or bee mimics like this.

Geoff, far be it for me to challenge your expertise. All I know is that they sure do look like the tiny wasps that have a nasty sting that every now and again try to build a nest in our bamboo house. Here is a frontal shot.

[Stagecoach]

Brian, it looks similar to what we call a Paper Wasp here, but the eyes seem more pronounced than the ones I'm familiar with.

Grahame

[JBW]

Brian, it looks similar to what we call a Paper Wasp here, but the eyes seem more pronounced than the ones I'm familiar with.

Grahame

yup the eyes and the antennae are wrong. I think geoff may be right this could be a look a like.

[JBW]

I think you have this one totally wrong, Brian!

Look at what we can see of those antennae. Surely this is a fly not a wasp.

Just a pure guess but it does look a bit like one of the Picture-winged flies by its stance.

There should be sufficient clear detail there for a reasonable attempt at identification. Certainly a good shot.

In the UK we have quite a few flies which are wasp or bee mimics like this.

Went out this morning and go this shot. Aside from a nice reflection in the eye it gives good detail of the antennae. Including two very thin antennae not seen in the other shots.

[deetheturk]

Nice capture B,i'm with Geoff on this one,defo a member of the Hoverfly family

David

[JBW]

Nice capture B,i'm with Geoff on this one,defo a member of the Hoverfly family

David

Not being too smart I went out this morning and tested their aggressiveness. Not aggressive at all so fly makes more sense than wasp. But whatever they are it is a nice shot.

[Geoff F]

To me, David, those wings don't look quite right for a hoverfly species. I am thinking more like one of the Tephritidae family.

Something similar to this http://www.diptera.info/photogallery.php?album_id=52

There are some roughly similar flies there, like this species.

http://www.diptera.info/photogallery.php?photo_id=8454

Not quite right but I suspect this is somewhere along the right lines.

[JBW]

To me, David, those wings don't look quite right for a hoverfly species. I am thinking more like one of the Tephritidae family.

Something similar to this http://www.diptera.info/photogallery.php?album_id=52

There are some roughly similar flies there, like this species.

http://www.diptera.info/photogallery.php?photo_id=8454

Not quite right but I suspect this is somewhere along the right lines.

The first link shows 'flies' we do have here but they are much smaller than my wasp look a like. The second link is very close. Though I do not like the look of that stinger. But our gardener/handyman says these look alikes do 'bite'.