Species details

Dasysyrphus tricinctus (Fallén, 1817)

Nomenclature

Syrphus tricinctus Fallén in Coe (1953).

Biology

The larva (illustrated in Rotheray, 1993) occurs on both coniferous and deciduous trees. It has been observed feeding on sawfly larvae and Lepidoptera caterpillars, but Rotheray (1993) reports that it is a frequent predator of aphids on Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus. Adults are usually found in or near woodland along rides, edges and track sides where they visit a range of flowers.

Distribution

Widespread throughout Britain north to northern Scotland. It is often common in both deciduous and coniferous woodlands, and in south-east England it tends also to be associated with heathland.