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Brachypalpus laphriformis female
Nikolay_D	#1 Posted on 20-09-2021 15:49
Member Location: Posts: 70 Joined: 02.02.12	Hi, Please, help me with the identification of this hoverfly. It was collected on the sunlit trunk of Betula in the evening. When disturbed, it started to fly around the trunk imitating the flight partten of a solitary bee. Specimen data: May, 30, 2021, Russia, Moscow, edge of a mixed forest. Body length: 11mm. Wingspan: 20mm. Edited by Nikolay_D on 21-09-2021 07:00


Nikolay_D	#2 Posted on 20-09-2021 15:53
Member Location: Posts: 70 Joined: 02.02.12	Photo№2 (same specimen) Photo№3 (same specimen) Photo№4 (same specimen) Photo№5 (same specimen)


Jan Maca	#3 Posted on 20-09-2021 19:53
Member Location: Posts: 1147 Joined: 25.03.10	A Merodon sp.


Nikolay_D	#4 Posted on 20-09-2021 20:12
Member Location: Posts: 70 Joined: 02.02.12	Thank you for the help. Is it possible to determine it down to the species level?


Sundew	#5 Posted on 20-09-2021 22:27
Member Location: Berlin and Baden-Württemberg, Germany Posts: 3890 Joined: 28.07.07	I disagree with Merodon. In that genus, wing vein R4+5 has a distinct loop. To me, it's a female of Brachypalpus laphriformis (compare https://www.flick...240971524/). Regards, Sundew


Jan Maca	#6 Posted on 21-09-2021 06:25
Member Location: Posts: 1147 Joined: 25.03.10	Sorry fot mistake.


Nikolay_D	#7 Posted on 21-09-2021 07:07
Member Location: Posts: 70 Joined: 02.02.12	Thanks for the correction of determination! I looked through the flickr page on Brachypalpus laphriformis. The behavior of this fly imitating Osmia exactly matches what I have witnessed. Frankly speaking, when it was disturbed and started to fly around the trunk, I thought that the fly flew away and a bee just came to investigate. It was only when it settled for the second time that I realized the trick.