Species details

Chrysogaster solstitialis (Fallén, 1817)

Biology

The larva inhabits seepages, brooks and small water bodies in woodland and scrub. It develops within decaying vegetation and rich mud in very shallow water. Adults are usually seen on the flowers of white umbels such as Hogweed Heracleum sphondylium, Wild Angelica Angelica sylvestris, Hemlock Water Dropwort Oenanthe croccata and Upright Hedge Parsley Torilis japonica, especially in damp shady locations.

Distribution

Better levels of recording start to highlight gaps in this species' occurrence that may reflect genuine absences rather than recorder effort. Its overall distribution is widespread and common, but there are notable gaps from parts of eastern England and east Lancashire. Absences from the west coast of Scotland may be an artefact of recorder effort.