Species details

Parasyrphus punctulatus (Verrall, 1873)

Nomenclature

Syrphus punctulatus Verrall in Coe (1953).

Biology

The larva is illustrated by Rotheray (1993). Although females of this species have been seen laying eggs on young shoots of Spruce Picea, their range of prey is known to include aphids on deciduous shrubs and trees including Dog Rose Rosa canina and Beech Fagus sylvatica. Adults can be found visiting a variety of spring flowers in open areas in or around woodland, both deciduous and coniferous and occasionally in parks and large gardens with mature trees. Males hover close to tree foliage and both sexes are found settled on sun-lit foliage, usually at some height.

Distribution

A widespread and common early spring species in woods throughout Britain, with records north to Shetland.