Happily Bumbling. Merodon equestris, Narcissus Bulb Fly, on a Daisy, Nieuw Sterrebos, Groningen, The Netherlands
After the efficient train to Groningen I rented a bike to cycle out to friends in the south of the city. But before my visit I stopped at the lovely gardens of the DUO-complex (see my earlier posting www.flickr.com/photos/87453322@N00/25990331244/in/photoli... ).
This is what I saw.
Here's a Narcissus Bulb Fly, Merodon equestris, on a pretty Daisy; I'm most grateful to Thijs de Graaf for his identification, astutely pointing out the vein forms of its wings (see below)! The name 'Merodon' is for the 'tooth-like' (=-odon) thickened structure on its hind femur (=méros). You can see it clearly in this photo. Our Hoverfly is often mistaken for a Bumblebee, but it does resemble those Hairy Flyers. These Lovely Insects are rather difficult to photograph with my humble camera because they're so very black. But the light between the rain showers was just right and delivered up this result.
Happily Bumbling. Merodon equestris, Narcissus Bulb Fly, on a Daisy, Nieuw Sterrebos, Groningen, The Netherlands
After the efficient train to Groningen I rented a bike to cycle out to friends in the south of the city. But before my visit I stopped at the lovely gardens of the DUO-complex (see my earlier posting www.flickr.com/photos/87453322@N00/25990331244/in/photoli... ).
This is what I saw.
Here's a Narcissus Bulb Fly, Merodon equestris, on a pretty Daisy; I'm most grateful to Thijs de Graaf for his identification, astutely pointing out the vein forms of its wings (see below)! The name 'Merodon' is for the 'tooth-like' (=-odon) thickened structure on its hind femur (=méros). You can see it clearly in this photo. Our Hoverfly is often mistaken for a Bumblebee, but it does resemble those Hairy Flyers. These Lovely Insects are rather difficult to photograph with my humble camera because they're so very black. But the light between the rain showers was just right and delivered up this result.