Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Syrphidae, Merodon identification

Posted by Joan Childs on 09-09-2014 15:07
#1

Please can anyone help me identify this Merodon from the Lot in south France. It was found on causse/limestone pavement, August 2014 and is 11.5 mm in length. I have other photos from different angles if there is a particular feature required, and I have the specimen so can check any character.
Many thanks
Joan

Posted by Joan Childs on 09-09-2014 15:14
#2

Apologies, no photo attached. First post here. Second attempt!

Posted by Andre on 20-09-2014 14:34
#3

This looks very much like a Merodon geniculatus.
Length of the hind tibia in relation to its hind femur is important (about 2/3 of the length of the femur).

Posted by Joan Childs on 20-09-2014 14:52
#4

Thank you Andre. And I have just found the 2007 key to Iberian Merodon by Marcos-Garcia, Vujic and Mengual so I will take the specimen through that.

Posted by Joan Childs on 02-10-2014 08:13
#5

I have taken this specimen through the Iberian Merodon key but it's very unfamiliar to me and I have no reference specimens. I don't think that it can be geniculatus because the mid coxa looks hairy. In van Veen it keys out to the pair albifrons/natans but the range of this book does not extend to southern France. Is there someone who I might be able to send the specimen to? Andre? Would you be willing to look at the specimen, or could you recommend someone who might? Thank you! Joan