Species details

Cheilosia carbonaria Egger, 1860

Biology

The larva of this species is unknown. Adults are most frequently occur along woodland rides and edges, usually on well-drained and calcareous soils. They fly low along track sides, woodland edges and large hedgerows and visit a range of white umbels and yellow composites. Although Stubbs (1982) lists this as a "good" primary woodland indicator, it has proved not to be confined to ancient woodlands.

Distribution

Most records are from well-wooded areas south of the Thames from Sussex to Devon. There are a few isolated records from as far north as South Lancashire.

Status

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