Species details

Eupeodes nielseni (Dušek & Láska, 1976)

Nomenclature

Metasyrphus nielseni Dusek & Laska in Stubbs & Falk (1983).

Biology

The larva is predaceous upon aphids and adelgids on Larch Larix and Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris. Adults are flower visitors. The main centre of population in Scotland seems to have been Caledonian pinewoods, but today that link is much weaker as E. nielseni now occurs in a wide range of conifer woodlands.

Distribution

There are two very distinct populations, one in the Scottish Highlands; the other in Dorset. There are also scattered records across England, Wales and Southern Scotland that suggest that this species is more widely distributed than current data suggest.

Status

Lower risk (Nationally scarce) - Ball & Morris, 2002. Notable - Falk, 1991.