Disclaimer

In most cases, each Hoverfly illustrated here has been identified from a number of photos.
If, after using the appropriate Identification Keys, I'm in doubt, I've said so.
Contact me if you wish to comment on any IDs.

Acknowledgement

I wouldn't have attempted to start learning about these insects without two things:
The digital camera, which allows you to take a lot of hurried photos and maybe get the one good one you needed,
and of course books: "British Hoverflies", by Alan Stubbs and Steven Falk,
and Mark van Veen's "Hoverflies of Northwest Europe".

Some useful links