Species details

Platycheirus manicatus (Meigen, 1822)

Biology

The larva feeds on aphids on low growing plants and bushes. According to Stubbs & Falk (1983) it is a grassland species, preferring drier grasslands on neutral to calcareous soils, but Speight (2010) describes it as a species of wet or humid open ground and Rotheray (1993) reports that gravid females seem to prefer moist shady situations. Our experience is that it is frequently swept from long grass in most habitats, but is especially abundant in coastal grasslands. Adults are often found visiting a wide range on flowers, especially white umbels.

Distribution

Widespread and common, including many of the Scottish islands.