A Bumble-Bee and a Bee-mimic for ID

Anzu · #1 (**permalink**) 24-05-2011, 01:06 PM

At least I hope this is one of the Bee-mimics I have heard about, found on a chive flower in a Norfolk garden.

And is this Bombus lucorum or B. terrestris? 16mm

Thank you!

htcdude · #2 (**permalink**) 24-05-2011, 01:12 PM

I've read the workers for B. lucorum and B. terrestris are pretty much identical in every way. From what I remember B. lucorum are more 'lemon' yellow than B. terrestris which is more orangey

Nige

Anzu · #3 (**permalink**) 25-05-2011, 08:20 AM

Oh dear, well at least I hope someone knows what my bee-mimic is?

Anzu · #4 (**permalink**) 25-05-2011, 03:21 PM

Well I shall go for Merodon equestris

JRsbugs · #5 (**permalink**) 25-05-2011, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anzu

Well I shall go for Merodon equestris

It probably is, but the photos are not really showing it well enough hence the hesitation.

There's lots of similar hoverflies which can often be confused so a better view of legs etc. can be helpful.

Anzu · #6 (**permalink**) 25-05-2011, 10:55 PM

There is this shot too of the same guy where you can see the U-shaped bend in the third long vein of the wing, and I guess all its legs are black. Do we need a clear shot of the hind legs? The best one I have is below but it is blurry.

Thank you for your reply Janet.