Species details

Melangyna labiatarum (Verrall, 1901)

Biology

The larva is aphidophagous but it remains undescribed. Members of this genus usually appear to have close associations with a particular, or narrow range of aphid species. Adults are usually found in woodland where they visit flowers, especially Hogweed Heracleum sphondylium and Wild Angelica Angelica sylvestris, in rides and glades.

Distribution

There is considerable confusion between this species and M. compositarum and many recorders do not attempt to separate them, consequently the data are not wholly reliable. This species is believed to have the more southerly distribution of the two, and is common in well-wooded lowland districts of England and Wales. There are scattered Scottish records, but their validity is open to question.