---

Hi Jan

I would say that this is another example of Volucella zonaria. I have never really used the colours of the thorax to separate V.zonaria from V.inanis, apart from noting that there is more brown on the thorax of V.zonaria than on V.inanis.

With these two species, apart from size, I find the colour of Tergite 2 the easiest way to separate them. In V.zonaria, T2 is a chestnut brown colour, in V.inanis T2 is a clear yellow colour. Although I can not see T2 in your photo very well, it appears to be quite dark - suggesting V.zonaria. Attached is a picture of V.inanis for comparisom.



Regards

Matt