The Society for the study of flies (Diptera)
Affiliated to the British Entomological and Natural History Society (BENHS)
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#1 2010-05-10 14:20:44
- malcolmedmunds
- Registered user
- Name: Array Array
- Registered: 2010-05-05
- Posts: 1
Volucella bombylans
I have been working on mimicry in Volucella bombylans for several years and now need to find good sites for the red-tailed morph and/or sites where I can see 20 or more insects in a morning. I am looking for sites north of a line from Gloucester to Hull including the southern uplands. I observe and count but do not collect specimens.
Do you know of any good sites?
Or do you know any local experts who could help me?
Thank you
Malcolm Edmunds
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#2 2010-05-11 02:47:27
- Mark
- DF Members
- Name: Mark Mitchell
- From: Hampshire
- Registered: 2008-06-17
- Posts: 194
Re: Volucella bombylans
Hi Malcolm
Not wishing to be a party pooper.
This was one of my "wish i could find more of" species for last year.
Maybe I was looking in the wrong places, or my field craft was what it needed to be for this species. but I only found one specimen all last year and the "normal form" at that.
I really hope that I can be proved wrong, but I strongly suspect that 20 red-tailed morphs in one day is an unrealistic target.
Would it help if members reported findings to you.
Mark
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#3 2010-05-11 11:57:58
Re: Volucella bombylans
Roger Morris and Stuart Ball carried out a mark and release survey of the scarce (or at least we think it's scarce) Volucella inflata. Using this method they found staggering numbers of that species were on the wing. Here's what Roger wrote on the Hoverfly RS Forum:
"Stuart and I did a mark-release-recapture study of Volucella inflata a couple of years ago at a site where it occurred in small numbers - using this technique we were absolutely astounded by the numbers we marked - over 200 and the estimate of population we got was well in excess of 600 individuals (for V. pellucens the estimate was in excess of 2,000 equalling the product of 60+ wasps nests - yet we only knew of one in the whole half mile ride. "
So, it might be worth visiting any woodland with decent open rides and glades and using the mark and release technique. That way you probably stand a good chance of getting your twenty red tailed specimens.
Last edited by conopid (2010-05-11 11:58:13)
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