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Hi all,

I have several pics of Merodon equestris of which there are different forms. I found some with given forms as on the following site

http://www.gwydir...ontini.htm

Those being f. equestris, f. narcissi, f. transversalis with another mentioned as having a black thorax but no given form name.

I seem to have all of these forms! Not sure if that is a good thing. :o

I will post an example of each, with numbers for easy reference. There is only one example in the Gallery, so I would like to post some there.

My questions are,

(1) can these be confirmed as the separate forms, and

(2) should they be give form names to enter them in the pic Gallery

All taken in my garden near Lincoln, UK.

Pic #1 of black thorax female (form name?) 21st June 2007 on Delosperma latifolia eckloni

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Pic #2 of mating pair, black thorax. 21st June 2007, prior to pic #1

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Pic #3 black thorax form male 11th June 2007.

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Pic #4 which is confusing as the female has the same colour form as the male of f. equestris in the link, the female colour of f. eqestris is shown differently. The male also appears to be f. narcissi as I will show next. 11th June 2007.

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Pic #5, the male after the mating session in pic #4, which appears to be f. narcissi.

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Pic #6, female f. equestris 23rd June 2007.

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Pic #7, female f. transversalis 1st July 2007

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Pic #8, male f. transversalis 9th June 2007.

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Pic #9, face view of #8

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Pic #10, front view of #5

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If no-one can confirm any of the forms, perhaps I should just enter them in the Gallery without?

I think I am correct that they are all Merodon equestris? :)

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they are indeed all Merodon equestris (as far as my knowledge goes)

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Thanks caliprobola for your confirmation. I have seen others which are very difficult to tell apart from some of these.

I will add some pics to the Gallery as male and female only and let Paul decide what he wants. :)