Merodon equestris ( Fabricus 1794 ) mimics bumblebees. According to Stubbs and Falk (2002)
" Merodon equestris is notable for its range of colour forms. It is able mimic a variety of bumblebee patterns such as black with red tail (eg. Bombus lapidarius), black with yellow with a white tail (eg. B. lucorum) andtawny (eg. B. pascuorum)" p304.
Its name, The Greater Bulb-fly, Large Bulb-fly of Narcissus fly comes from its habit of attacking daffodil and other bulbs.
Eggs are laid on leaves at ground level. The larvae tunnel into the bulb where they live for almost a year and then pupate in the soil. The adult is short-lived (average 17 days).
The images above were taken in an suburban garden, Darwen, Lancashire, UK 30/5/10.
Identification made by David Leicester ( Dioctria) on I-Spot.
STUBBS, A.E. and FALK, S.J.,2002. British Hoverflies: an illustrated identification guide. British Entomological and Natural History Society, London.
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