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Merodon Euri
''Merodon'' is a large genus of bee-like hoverflies. The majority of the species are centered on the Mediterranean and it is the second largest hoverfly genus in Europe with more than 50 European species. It is distributed over the Palaearctic and Afrotropical realms, with most European species occurring in Southern and Eastern Europe. The centre of distribution of this genus appears to be Turkey, where about 65 species have been recorded. Some species occur in Africa (Morocco through East Africa and Ghana to South Africa) and the middle East, as far as Pakistan. Given the rate at which new species have been recorded over the past decades, the worldwide number of species could exceed 200. The larvae feed on the bulbs or rhizomes of monocotyledons. One of the more common species in the genus, ''Merodon equestris'' is known as the Narcissus bulb fly, greater bulb-fly, large bulb fly or large Narcissus fly. Systematics Species include: *'' M. aberrans'' Egger Egger may mean: *E ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Merodon Equestris
''Merodon equestris'' (Narcissus bulb fly, greater bulb fly, large bulb fly, large Narcissus fly) is a Holarctic species of hoverfly (Family Syrphidae). Like many other hoverflies it displays a colouration pattern similar to a stinging insect (a bumblebee in this case) as an evolutionary defense mechanism. Other syrphid bee mimics are ''Mallota'', '' Arctophila'', ''Criorhina'', ''Pocota'' and ''Brachypalpus''. ''Merodon'' species are distinguished from these by the very strong hind femora, which bear a large triangular projection on the underside near the tip. It flies in low vegetation while the other bumblebee mimics prefer higher vegetation layers. Description A stout fly with a small head. The tergites are black, without the dust spots or blue-purple sheen of other ''Merodon'' species. The thorax and abdomen are hidden by dense, long, erect hairs of variable colouration. Tibia 3 of the male has 2 spurs at the apex. The larva is described and figured by Hodson (1932) and i ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
