Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Criorhina ranunculi (thanks Martin Hauser) Bumblebee mimic:

Posted by nick upton on 21-04-2010 17:10
#1
I really thought this was a red-tailed bumblebee Bombus lapidarius until I looked very closely and saw the dipteran antennae and hint of halteres. I then thought maybe Volucella bombylans, but with wings closed (better mimicry!), big hind legs and no plumose aristas I think that makes this a Merodon equestris and this colour form is I think validus. Can anyone confirm this?

Wlltshire, southwest UK 21.4.10

Nick Upton
Edited by nick upton on 21-04-2010 18:03

Posted by nick upton on 21-04-2010 17:11
#2
And another view...

Posted by Maddin on 21-04-2010 17:43
#3
This is much better than Merodon, it is Criorhina ranunculi. Very nice spring species. This species can have a white tip of the abdomen or can be nearly completely whitish/light brown..

Posted by nick upton on 21-04-2010 18:02
#4
Many thanks Martin for this really fast and knowledgeable response. That's why I post pics on this site! I read on the hoverfly recording scheme site that it's often active high up and may be much under reported as a result. Its status seems to be scarce, known from just 40 sites in the UK since 1960 according to info on the site. Maybe I should send this record in...
Nick Upton