Key to the species of the Volucella pellucens species group

1. Legs with apexes of femora, bases of tibiae, and basotarsomeres yellowish brown (Figs. 5F, H); head with upper post­ocular orbit clearly seen in lateral view (Figs. 2C, F)................................................................................................. inflata (Fabricius)

­ Legs almost entirely dark brown to black (e.g. Figs. 5B, D); head with upper post­ocular orbit barely seen in lateral view (e.g. Figs. 1C, F)................................................... 2

2. Abdominal tergite 2 predominantly black with a pair of pale transverse areas, at most 2/3 of tergite length (Figs. 5I, K) .................................................... nigricans Coquillett

­ Abdominal tergite 2 almost entirely pale except for narrow median longitudinal stripe in yellow brown to dark brown (e.g. Figs. 5A, C) ........................................................ 3

3. Abdominal tergite 2 longer than tergite 3 when measured medially; male basoflagellomere in lateral view slightly constricted in middle (Fig. 1C); male eye contiguity about half as long as frontal triangle (Fig. 1B); female eyes densely pilose (Fig. 1F) .................................................................................................. thompsoni n.sp.

­ Abdominal tergite 2 slightly but clearly shorter than tergite 3 when measured medially; male basoflagellomere in lateral view transversely elliptic (Fig. 4D); male eye contiguity about as long as frontal triangle (Figs. 4B, C); female eyes bare (Fig. 4G) 4

4. Female scutum posteriorly without distinct brown triangular macula, or occasionally with faint brownish tinge (Figs. 5O, 6A, B) .................. pellucens pellucens (Linnaeus)

­ Female scutum posteriorly with distinct brown triangular macula (Figs. 5S, 6C, D)..... .................................................................................. pellucens tabanoides Motschulsky