Syrphus ribesii and S. rectus are virtually identical, the only difference being the distribution of microtrichia (microscopic hairs) on the basal wing cells. In S. ribesii these cells are completely covered with microtrichia in S. rectus the second basal cell is partly clear of microtrichia. Having said that, the chances of any individual found in the British Isles being S. rectus is very remote as it is a North American species. It has only been reliably recorded in Britain on a few occasions, but due to its similarity to S. ribesii the frequency of its occurence, or whether it has actually colonised the British Isles, is uncertain.
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