Species details

Xylota florum (Fabricius, 1805)

Biology

The larva is associated with decaying wood and sap. An association with Black Poplar Populus nigra has been claimed, based on rearing records, but this dates from before it was separated from X. coeruleiventris and X. meigeniana so the identity of these records must be in some doubt. Adults are usually found in damp places in woodland such as stream-sides, where they can be seen sunning on logs, including those partially submerged in water. There would appear to be a strong concentration of records on the acid heaths of south-east England.

Distribution

A scarce species of southern Britain with scattered records extending northwards to Cumbria and Durham, but with most records from well-wooded areas of southern-central England and Wales.

Status

Was listed as "Notable" by Falk, 1991, but dropped from this status by Ball & Morris, 2010 who consider it LOWER RISK.