Species details

Parasyrphus lineola (Zetterstedt, 1843)

Nomenclature

Syrphus lineola Zetterstedt in Coe (1953).

Biology

The larva is an arboreal predator of adelgids and aphids and has been found in the crowns of Spruce Picea sp. It has also been bred from a puparium found under the bark of Norway Spruce Picea abies. Adults are usually found in or near conifer forests and plantations (Pinus, Picea and Abies) where they may be largely arboreal, but descend to feed on flowers in rides and clearings.

Distribution

Widespread and locally common. This species is probably more frequent in the north and west, extending to northern Scotland, but also occurs in conifer plantations in the Midlands and southern England.