Wasp-mimic syrphid

Description:

This pretty little syrphid, Temnostoma balyras (about 10-12 mm length), was buzzing about a rotting log in my back yard. Larvae live in rotting wood, and I think this was a male in search of females. This was a new species for BugGuide--ID on the BugGuide posting. Members of this genus are difficult to identify to species level, but the fly experts on BugGuide believe I caught the relevant marks for this one. Here you can see the fly holding a dark foreleg out in front--thought to mimic the dark antennae of wasps. HFDF!