Species details

Cheilosia soror (Zetterstedt, 1843)

Nomenclature

Cheilosia ruffipes (Preyssler, 1793).

Biology

The larva is believed to inhabit fungi, and this species is reported to have been bred from truffles. Adults are strongly associated with Chalk and limestone, where they have been found feeding on the flowers of white umbels, especially Hogweed Heracleum sphondylium and Wild Parsnip Pastinaca sativa, in grassy rides and glades.

Distribution

Records are widely scattered from chalk and limestone areas, mainly in eastern England, as far north as Morecambe Bay. Records from London suburbs suggest that it may be more widely distributed, possibly influenced by the calcareous content of concrete and rubble in urban areas. Records have become much more frequent since 2000 and there is evidence of a northward expansion of the range.

Status

Listad as "Notable" by Shirt, 1987, but Ball & Morris, 2010 considered it LOWER RISK.