Narcissus Bulb Fly (Merodon equestris (Fabricius, 1794))
Scientific name: Merodon equestris (Fabricius, 1794)
Common name: Narcissus Bulb Fly
French name: Syrphe des narcisses, Mouche des narcisses.
Order: Diptera
Family: Syrphidae
Wingspan : 15 to 17 mm.
Biotope: Woodlands, hedgerows, parks and gardens. Adults are seen on flowers where they feed on nectar. Larvae grow inside bulbs of plants of the Lily family (Liliaceae) including Daffodils and Lilies.
Geographic area: Europe. Introduced to North America.
Observation period : March to August with a peak in May.
The Narcissus Bulb Fly is one the hoverfly species which mimics bumblebees.
It shows black, orange and yellow colours in different patterns to resemble different bumblebee species.
The legs are black. The hind leg femora show some kind of a triangular projection or apophysis on the under side next to the tibia joint.
The median vein shows an U-shaped curve like hoverflies of the eristalini tribe.
The antenna (or arista) is a simple hair.
Like on many hoverfly species the eyes are touching on males and are clearly separated on females.
Volucella bombylans shows a straight radial vein and a feathery antenna.
Eristalis intricaria has not completely black legs. The fore half of the tibiae is white.
Merodon clavipes has very thick and curved hind femora.

Narcissus Bulb Fly (Merodon equestris) - Yvelines, France - May 8th 2011
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Narcissus Bulb Fly (Merodon equestris)
The touching eyes indicate one male.
Though the depth of field is not sufficient you can guess the U-shaped curve of the median vein.
You can also guess the apophysis below the apex of the hind femur.


Narcissus Bulb Fly (Merodon equestris) - Yvelines, France - May 7th 2011
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Narcissus Bulb Fly (Merodon equestris)
The separated eyes indicate one female.
The apophysis below the apex of the hind femur is clearly visible on this picture.


Narcissus Bulb Fly (Merodon equestris) - Yvelines, France - June 29th 2013
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Narcissus Bulb Fly (Merodon equestris)
I often take breaks while mowing the lawn.
This time it is to photograph a Narcissus Bulb Fly who decided to land on the cord of the lawnmower.

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