Species details

Eumerus amoenus Loew, 1848

Description

E. amoenus is a member of the strigatus group. These are small black species, usually with a bronze shine, but without coloured markings. The hairs on abdominal tergite 4 are extensively black (whitish in E. funeralis, E. sogdianus and E. strigatus) Examination of the male genetalia provides the best means of confirming the identity.

Biology

One of the most widespread members of the genus in Europe, E. amoenus is often bred from onion, Allium cepa. 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. A single, male specimen of this species was found in Great Dixter Gardens in East Sussex in July 2021.

Status

Added to the British List by Bentley & van de Meutter (2024) (Dipterists Digest 31(2) 81-84).