Species details

Pipiza lugubris (Fabricius, 1775)

Biology

This appears to be a woodland species that occurs along damp rides. There are suspicions that it may be associated with locations supporting Meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria. The larvae of this genus are predaceous upon aphids but the precise prey of P. lugubris is unknown. Adults have been caught from beds of Meadowsweet and Wild Parsnip Pastinaca sativa on a grassy verge.

Distribution

This species is widely distributed across England and Wales but is largely absent from extensive areas east of the Pennines and the East Midlands. The major concentrations of records are centred upon South Lancashire, Cheshire, Dorset, Hampshire, Surrey and Sussex.

Status

Lower Risk (Nationally scarce) - Ball & Morris, 2010. Notable - Falk, 1991.