Species details

Anasimyia interpuncta (Harris, 1776)

Nomenclature

This species was confused with A. lunulata before the review by Claussen & Torp (1980); older records are therefore suspect unless a specimen has been re-examined.

Biology

Many records are associated with beds of Reed Sweet Grass Glyceria maxima growing in ditches on grazing marsh or levels around large, lowland rivers and on coastal marshes. Adults have been found visiting yellow flowers, such as Marsh Marigold Caltha paulustris and other buttercups, close to such beds. Adults fly rather early in the year, in April to early May, but a smaller, second flight period sometimes occurs in July.

Distribution

Mainly found in East Anglia, especially in the Norfolk Broads and the washes and flood plains of the main rivers such as the Nene and Great Ouse, but also in the Thames Marshes in Essex and the Pevensey Levels area of Sussex. It has recently been discovered in the Somerset Levels.

Status

Lower Risk (Nationally scarce) - Ball & Morris, 2010. Rare (RDB3) - Falk, 1991. Vulnerable (RDB2) - Shirt, 1987.