Species details

Cheilosia pubera (Zetterstedt, 1838)

Biology

The larva feeds on the roots of Water Avens Geum rivale. Adults have been found at flowers of Kingcups Caltha palustris, but are more frequently found sunning on leaves at scrub edges, in wet pasture, fen edges and lake shores. They fly low over the vegetation in grassy, open areas often along streams or other wet edges. It is best found by visiting places where the host plant grows in abundance during the flight period (June to August, peak in July).

Distribution

Although there are scattered records from southern and western England, this species is primarily northern and is possibly under-recorded. It can be very abundan where it occurs.

Status

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