Volucella bombylans?

[Deer Stalker]

Just checking as the wing-venation doesn't look right to me.



Cheers

[Geoff F]

That is what is also puzzling me.

I suspect it is probably Merodon equestris. Although the tarsus are a bit pale and that loop in the mid wing vein seems a little misshapen. But I suspect it would look better if the wing was open.

[Matt Smith]

ok - it's not a Volucella because all Volucella have plumose arista - the little hair sticking out of the antennae are feathered.

It's not Meredon because the legs just look wrong and parts of them are pale - Meredon has all black legs.

Try Pocota personata - a bumblebee mimic with a wing shade. Not yet seen one myself in the wild.

[Roger Morris]

Yes, this is Pocota personata

It is jolly scarce so the details of the record would be much appreciated.

Date, Locality, grid ref and recorder - if you want you can send to roger dot morris at dsl dot pipex dot com

Regards

Roger