Hoverflies & Bumble for ID please

[Janenat]

Hello
Have tentative identifications but await to be corrected Also could someone tell me what's happening in the Erastalis photo?! Have a couple of possibilities of what it might be
Many thanks
Jane
1 Hoverfly_Erastalis

2 Hoverfly_Melanostoma

3 Bumble bee - Bombus Terrsetris -Queen

[Geoff F]

I partially agree with your identification, Jane.

The Eristalis, without being able to see it's face, is most likely E. pertinax. It is probably a bit early for any of the alternatives anyway.

The Melanstoma, going by the length of it's abdomen, is probably M. scalare.

But I'm not sure about the bumble which appears to have a red tail. I would consider Bombus pratorum as, once again, it is a bit early for any of the alternatives. Although I would prefer to have a second opinion on this.

[JRsbugs]

Geoff has got them all correct! The Eritalis is passing the nectar remains she has eaten.

Eristalis pertinax has orange tarsi, and you can see the pale area on the hind tibia. I have seen Eristalis tenax female a long time ago now on 24th February, only once and I saw a male E. pertinax a few days ago.

The Melanostoma is like M. scalare, with a long and narrow abdomen. M. mellinum has a broader abdomen with large squarish spots but also the wings don't usually go beyond the tail end.

Bombus pratorum queen is correct!

Janet

[Janenat]

Thank you both, will amend my pics.

Jane