Guide to Finding Hoverflies Book Review
A Review of A Guide to Finding Hoverflies: An Introductory Resource for beginners interested in colourful flies.
NatureBureau (pbk) published 2014.
Author: Peter Creed.
73 pages, 140 colour photos.
ISBN 978-1-874357-60-5
If you are new to hoverflies or stumbled onto this website without a clue what a hoverfly is but interested enough to find out more, then this might be the book to start with.
Firstly, do not be put off by the subheading ‘In Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire’. Yes, I am sure Peter only listed in this book the 68 species common to those three countries but take it from me most are common across all counties in the UK and probably Europe. Well maybe except for Verrall’s Spearhorn (Chrysotoxum verralli), 793 records on National Biodiversity Network (NBN), but don’t expect it north of Leeds, in west Wales, Devon or Cornwall. Also, the Green Forest (Calyprobola speciosa) which is even rarer at 82 records on NBN and apart from a couple of records, its not seen beyond the boundaries of the New Forest in Hampshire. Finally, the Plain Golden hoverfly (Callicera aurata) again sparse recordings at 147 NBN records.
All the above if spotted are a ‘Tunnock’ moment as far as I am concerned. A Tunnock is a teacake, a soft marshmallow on a biscuit base fully coated with chocolate. My friends know that if you find a new discovery, then that is a Tunnock moment, a treat to be treasured, where cake and natural history combine perfectly. Being Easter Sunday when I post this a chocolate egg will do if you don’t have a Tunnock. They are very nice though.
The hoverfly species listed in this book are mostly common varieties each with a representative photograph. Throughout the book the main tribes are presented but not too many of each tribe, such that you become overwhelmed with options. In my opinion it’s the perfect book for an absolute beginner or those that have only a casual interest.
Peter includes a double spread of 2 species per page with an accompanying similar species box if applicable. If there is a similar species found within the book, then the relevant page number is provided, which is useful. Alternatively, it is a reference to go look it up within another book. I would recommend either Hoverflies of Britain and Ireland or Hoverflies of Britain and North-West Europe: A photographic guide. Reviews for which will be available shortly on this site, so please subscribe so as not to miss them.
Each listed species has a brief description, its size and ‘where to look’ with a note indicating the habitat its mostly found. If you live in one of the three listed counties, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire or Oxfordshire then there is a reference of a place to visit. Also, a ‘when to look’ section giving guidance on the months seen and a peak month, which can be helpful.
This is a pocketbook that fits nicely into any jacket, with an inside pocket, and I personally take this out with me all time. It help reminds me of some of the features, so acts as quick reference guide. If people are with me on my hoverfly spotting adventures, I often use this book as a visual aid, the hoverfly probably long since flown away after being pointed at. It belongs to a series of books, also from the same publishers, these being wild orchids, fungi, bees, butterflies and one of my other favourites of this series a ‘Guide to Finding Mosses‘.
One criticism I would give is that Peter only included a few common names, 13 species in total. I would have personally put a common name for each of the species using Steven Falk’s names, I am quite sure he had his Flickr site at the time this was published. There is the Marmalade (Episyrphus balteatus) and Drone fly (Eristalis Tenax) two of the commonest hoverflies. Myathropa florea which is universally known as Batman hoverfly would have got me looking as a beginner, who doesn’t like looking for Batman. Maybe the author had an unknown reason but for a beginner an English name is a must these days, just like with most Bird and Butterfly books. In my opinion species with common names aids the absolute beginner and helps them on their journey to becoming a Hoverfly Spotter. I please to say in Peter Creed latest book A Photographic guide to Flies of Britain & Ireland he has corrected this and all species of hoverflies have common names. My first impression review is available on this site. Click Here
The first couple of pages set the scene of a book, but if you were hoping to learn much about hoverflies, then this is not the book. There are no keys and there is only a brief introduction, preceding a page that acts as a sort of key with need-to-know information about the main parts of a hoverfly. This is followed by a ‘Where to look’ page which if you live in one of the 3 counties will be relevant but as I don’t, it doesn’t to me. But what I do like about the page are the species lists known to specific habitats. This may aid the beginner to decide if what they are looking in the field is one species or the other. But please note this should only be used as a guide, as hoverflies don’t always stick to specific habitats.
Who would I recommend this book to:
Anybody who is an absolute beginner.
Anybody who lives in any county of the UK, not just Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire.
Anyone who is interested in Natural History and would like to get into spotting colourful flies.
Couldn't agree more with your comments about common names. Certainly with plants common names are often rooted in place, myth and legend/anecdote, which can help to create an immediate connection. I realize this may not exactly be the case for hoverflies but crikey - Batman?! I need to see this one and I know a few other people who will too!