DIPTERA > BRACHYCERA | Higher Diptera

MUSCOMORPHA > ASCHIZA >  Syrphoidea > Syrphidae > Eristalinae > Volucellini

On the previous page I featured the two most frequently observed species Volucella pellucens and Volucella bomylans that have widespread distribution and can be found in pretty much every area of the country. Looking at the three remaining species you'd think they would be in a different genus, but obviously the shared features of the plumose arista and wings with a re-entrant outer cross-vein make them all part of the same group despite their varying appearance.

These three, although not dissimilar, can be easily distinguished by their markings. They have a more restricted range than the other two as they are mainly southern species. I'm fortunate that all three occur locally, but that certainly doesn't mean that they are regularly seen as it's taken me quite a while to complete the set as Volucella inflata has been a real struggle to find.

Volucella zonaria is the largest of the three and, in fact, the largest British hoverfly species with some adults having a wing length close to 20mm. They are impressive insects with a chestnut scutellum and black-banded chestnut to yellow abdomen, the colours and of which closely resemble a hornet. Similarly, with Volucella inanis, which is more wasp-like with a largely yellow, black-banded abdomen and dull yellowish-grey scutellum. I don't believe that either of these two species favour a particular habitat, whereas the final species Volucella inflata is very much associated with woodland.

Sept.24