Conf please for Eupeodes corollae and balding bee

Dillybythesea · #1 (**permalink**) 05-09-2011, 01:02 PM

Even though the shapes are different from my last male, I'm hoping I'm right with this hoverfly - yellow gets to the sides (just), greyish effect towards the hind-margins of the tergites, etc?

And although very small, and appearing black and white, I'm assuming this must be a balding female Bombus pascuorum?

Thanks for any help.

Matt Smith · #2 (**permalink**) 05-09-2011, 03:55 PM

Yes - the bee is Bombus pascuorum.

Dillybythesea · #3 (**permalink**) 05-09-2011, 04:46 PM

Thanks Matt. Nice to know for sure!

Geoff F · #4 (**permalink**) 05-09-2011, 08:13 PM

Occasionally E. corollae and E. latifasciatus can appear similar when faced with 'non typical' markings; and E. latifasciatus females can sometimes have spots/bands which just touch the margins.

Which could cause confusion with E. corollae like your example which only just touches the sides. Normally at least 50% of the spot/band will reach the margin for this species.

So if you are ever faced with this dilemma, the black area of the frons is more extensive in E. latifasciatus. The other thing which separates them is the colour of hair on the front femur - if you can see it.

Dillybythesea · #5 (**permalink**) 06-09-2011, 07:27 AM

Thanks Geoff. That was exactly the piece of information I was missing in my notes and answers the question beautifully. True I don't have a picture of the frons on this one, let alone colour of the hair on the front femur - but who knows, next time... ?!!

JRsbugs · #6 (**permalink**) 06-09-2011, 02:23 PM

But your Eupeodes is a male E. corollae, it has typical squarish spots which reach the sides and can sometimes be separated. Male latifasicatus spots usually don't reach the sides, are rarely separated and have a 'ski glasses' shape.

The main confusion species with E. latifasciatus would be E. bucculatus which is rare, I have yet to see one.

Dillybythesea · #7 (**permalink**) 06-09-2011, 03:15 PM

Now Janet I can almost hear you going tsk tsk and I need you to know I DO try!

I don't think I can have been exposed to enough ski glasses, early on when it mattered...

JRsbugs · #8 (**permalink**) 06-09-2011, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dillybythesea

Now Janet I can almost hear you going tsk tsk and I need you to know I DO try!

I don't think I can have been exposed to enough ski glasses, early on when it mattered...

ROFLOL! You're talking to someone who knows the difficulties, been there myself. Without a book of keys the extra little details will escape you, even then they are often open to interpretation. Experience is a very good guide used along with keys if needed.

I know Geoff addressed the females, but thought you were left wondering about this one.

I've looked again at a male I had from last year which I thought a suspect bucculatus, still is! It looks more like bucculatus except the spots should reach the margin at the top edge but they don't quite! I know there are exceptions to the rule which are not mentioned for other species.

Dillybythesea · #9 (**permalink**) 06-09-2011, 05:33 PM

Well as long as you're not cross, that's alright then!

Is there a link to see the suspect bucculatus?!

JRsbugs · #10 (**permalink**) 06-09-2011, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dillybythesea

Well as long as you're not cross, that's alright then!

Is there a link to see the suspect bucculatus?!

Gosh, I only get cross with people who deliberately wind me up when they think they know but don't! I'm here to help!

E. bucculatus has microtrichia on 50% or less of the bm cell, same with the br cell but I can't see the microtichia well enough, I can see at least some of it looks bare. The spots of latifasciatus are usually joined into a broad band, with some darker spring ones having separate spots. This was early August.

I'm uploading a photo now...