Platycheirus scutatus
General description:
This is a widespread species with a long flight season often found on woodland edges and in gardens.
The separation of P. splendens (Rotheray, 1998) and P. aurolateralis (Stubbs 2002) from P. scutatus has explained the extensive variation previously observed in this species, but records prior to 2002 have to be re-evaluated. There are only four records from the Outer Hebrides and only one is prior to 2002.
Diagnostic description:
At present only males can be reliably separated from the other two species. The front legs of the males are distinctive with an extended metatarsus and tufts of hairs at the base of the femur and in the middle of the tibia.
Identification:
Stubbs, A.E. & Falk, S.J. ( 2002) and Ball, S & Morris, R. (2013) should be consulted for full descriptions.
Local Distribution: