Posted by Rupert Huber on 19-07-2022 18:55
#1
Hi all!
If the legs were all black, as they are supposed to be, I wouldn't ask. But they aren't. So: Is it
Merodon equestris?
Approx. 10-12 mm
18.7.2022, Germany, Upper Bavaria, Freilassing, a few metres from little lake "Ausee", ~420 m asl, coordinates 47.84127, 12.99722
Posted by Sundew on 21-07-2022 02:58
#4
Such a loop in wing vein R4+5 is typical for
Merodon and
Eristalis. However, the shape of cell r4+5 is different in
Eristalis, and the bumblebee mimic
E. intricaria has also a yellow scutellum. So we have to look for
Merodon indeed. There are 10 predominantly rare species in Germany, and the legs of most of them are partly pale.
M. equestris with completely black legs (including the hairs) is off the table. It is also not
M. moenium (formerly thought to be
M. avidus). But the other species are unknown to me. The key for France (
https://www.resea...ion_detail) covers most of them, but I am not able to find out a species with your three pictures - sorry! So your female will remain
Merodon spec.
Regards, Sundew
Edited by Sundew on 21-07-2022 02:59
Posted by Rupert Huber on 21-07-2022 07:35
#5
Many thanks for your efforts Sundew!
So another rather complicated genus... again what learned. At least I was right with my heavy doubts about equestris.
This picture shows a bit of the obviously important femur's shape, but with its extremely poor quality, and still not ideal perspective, I of course don't expect it to help much further.