Species details

Melangyna lasiophthalma (Zetterstedt, 1843)

Nomenclature

Syrphus lasiophthalmus Zetterstedt in Coe (1953).

Biology

The larva is aphidophagous. This is a characteristic species of woods, both deciduous and coniferous, in the early spring, where they visit the flowers of trees, such as sallows Salix sp., and ground layer species, like yellow composites, buttercups Ranunculus and Wild Garlic Allium ursinum. Males hover in clearings and over tracks. Both sexes can be found settled on sun-lit tree trunks and dry leaves.

Distribution

Widely distributed in well-wooded areas throughout Britain. Often abundant where it occurs.