Species details

Eumerus amoenus Loew, 1848

Description

A specimen thought to be of this species was found in Sussex in 2021.

Biology

E. amoenus is often bred from onion, Allium cepa, where it is regarded as a pest. Efflatoun (1922) stated that E. amoenus is the commonest species of the genus in Egypt, and may be found from October to June throughout the Nile Valley from the Mediterranean coast to Upper Egypt and in Fayoum. It has also been bred from potato tubers, water melon, grapes, rotten paw-paw and damaged rhizomes of Iris germanica. It flies among low-growing vegetation at up to 1m from the ground, often in partially shaded conditions. It uses short vegetation on the ground rather than bare soil or stones to settle on (Speight 2017).

Distribution

Regarded as a common species in the Mediterranean region and a minor pest of onion cultivation.

Status

Not yet formally added to British list.