---

Hello,


Pierre Gros : France : Cagnes-sur-Mer : 06800 : 28/02/2016
Altitude : 30 m - Taille : 14 x 7 mm
Réf. : 157793


Pierre Gros : France : Cagnes-sur-Mer : 06800 : 06/03/2016
Altitude : 30 m - Taille : 14 x 7 mm
Réf. : 157973

Very short prp and those little horns at the other end.
Does this ring a bell for anyone of you?
Not even sure that this is a Syrphid.

Thanks a lot in advance.

---

Nobody for this beauty?

---

Can you tell us more about where it was found? (e.g. plant, substrate)

---

It was found under a wood board laid on moss in a garden. The author has many such traps in his garden to collect all kinds of insects. The specimen was kept as is in a terrarium box, with only some water sprays from time to time. Please note the time difference between pictures. The two little horns seen on the second composite photo appeared at the spots seen on the upper left picture of the first composite photo.

The author thought at the first sight that it was some piece of shit but kept it because the consistency was somehow incompatible and seemed more like a pupa.

I'm not sure that all this will help you.
If you have precise questions, I can be the go-between (the author doesn't speak or read english).

---

I'd say this is Merodon equestris. The larvae feed on bulbs, but leave them to pupate in the soil (or under a board as in this case).

---

Tony,

Thanks.

---

Here is the imago freshly hatched:

Pierre Gros : France : Cagnes-sur-Mer : 06800 : 23/03/2016
Altitude : 30 m - Taille : 14 mm (Lc) & 10 mm (La)
Réf. : 158721

---

And here it is - teddy bear.
One of the most characteristic forms of Merodon equestris.