Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Merodon avidus?

Posted by nick upton on 06-06-2010 22:31
#1

Is it possible to get an accurate ID for this Corsican hoverfly? Merodon sp. I think, closest to Merodon avidus from images I can find, but there are many other species in the Mediterranean and I don't have a key / don't know what species are possible for Corsica.

4.6.2010 c 12mm feeding on Umbel flowers by a mountain stream c 500m

Posted by nick upton on 06-06-2010 22:33
#2

Another view. Some more angles available if they help..

Posted by Gerard Pennards on 07-06-2010 10:42
#3

Male Merodon yes, but not avidus.
Looks like a male Merodon clavipes with very enlarged hind femur, but that would be a guess. There are a lot of Merodon species in southern europe, and sometimes very difficult to identify.
Greetings
Ps exactly were on Corsica is this place?

Posted by nick upton on 07-06-2010 10:52
#4

Hi Gerard

OK, many thanks for this help. The location is between Ajaccio and Propriano by the Taravo river, near where the N196 crosses it, very close to a pretty Genoan bridge. Maybe more like 350-450m now I've checked the map.