Species details

Platycheirus ambiguus (Fallén, 1817)

Nomenclature

Placed in Melanostoma by Coe (1953), but more recently placed in the sub-genus Pachysphyria within Platycheirus.

Biology

The larva is unknown. Adults fly early in the season, peaking in late April, and are most often found visiting Blackthorn Prunus spinosa blossom, but also at other flowering shrubs. Both sexes can be found hovering about the flowers where bushes are in sunny and sheltered situations.

Distribution

Most records are from the southern half of England, but it does extend into Wales and Scotland.