I have come across these insects a lot more lately, as far as I can tell, they can sustain a hover state in flight. I'm actually quite interested to know what these are, seeing they look like a cross between a bumblebee and a common housefly...
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1$\begingroup$ For species ID questions, it is very useful to know where and when you saw the animal, and it can be useful to know details such as weather conditions. Could you provide some of these extra details? $\endgroup$– bshaneCommented Nov 6, 2015 at 6:33
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1$\begingroup$ Easily done, lower Blue Mountains, Bew South Wales in Australia, about 4pm AEST, overcast conditions... $\endgroup$– Eliseo D'AnnunzioCommented Nov 6, 2015 at 6:47
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2$\begingroup$ Based on location, behaviour, and markings, I'd go with some sort of hoverfly (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoverfly). I can't offer positive ID, but I would hazard a guess at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melangyna_viridiceps based on the all-black thorax and the fact that this species is relatively common. $\endgroup$– bshaneCommented Nov 6, 2015 at 7:12
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$\begingroup$ New South Wales* $\endgroup$– Eliseo D'AnnunzioCommented Nov 6, 2015 at 7:20
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1$\begingroup$ It's definitely a hoverfly (Syrphidae), but I don't you will get a certain identification to the species level based on that single photograph. $\endgroup$– fileunderwaterCommented Nov 6, 2015 at 11:18
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Looks very similar to Eupeodes corollae (Syrphidae). But only a specialist in the group will tell you if its the same species, genus or family. And not with that low-resolution photograph (sometimes they need to take the genitals off for proper identification).
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$\begingroup$ the photo was the best I could I at short notice... I'll see if I can update the photo at a later time. $\endgroup$ Commented Nov 6, 2015 at 21:15
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$\begingroup$ Better talk to a specialist. Depending on the group, you can only know the species by capturing an individual. And sometimes, only knowing the place and the flower it's in, is enough for the identification. $\endgroup$– RodrigoCommented Nov 6, 2015 at 21:24