The Hoverflies of Marsland Nature Reserve
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The Hoverflies of Marsland Nature Reserve Arctophila ( Sericomyia ) superbiens Biology: The larvae remain undescribed, but are thought to be aquatic or semi- aquatic. Stubbs & Falk (1983) report an observation of a female ovipositing in a water filled hoofprint in a shaded muddy path beside a stream. Found near springs, wet flushes or streams, usually near the edge of woodland or carr. Adults visit purple flowers, especially Succisa, white umbels and yellow composites Distribution: A northern and western species which is locally abundant in suitable localities, these tending to be sheltered, and on neutral to acid soils. Local in North Devon/Cornwall First recorded on reserve in September 2008. July-October peak August Baccha elongata Biology: This species is found in shady places such as woodland rides and edges, hedgerows and mature gardens, where adults may be seen hovering low amongst ground-layer plants. The larvae are aphidophagous, preying on a variety of ground-layer species in shaded situations, e.g. Uromelan jaceae on Centaurea scabiosa, Brachycaudina napelli on Aconitum, and the bramble aphid, Sitobion fragariae onRubus. It overwinters as a larva Distribution: Widely recorded throughout Britain, but like most woodland species, scarce or absent from poorly-wooded areas such as the East Anglian fens and the Scottish islands. There is considerable uncertainty about the status of B. obscuripennis which has often been regarded as a distinct species. Most records submitted to the scheme are attributed to “ Baccha spp.”, but analysis of those where separation has been attempted do not suggest any differences in range, flight period or habitat preference Brachypalpoides lenta ( Xylota lenta ) Biology: The larvae of this species occur in decaying heartwood of beech, particularly in live trees with exposed decay at ground level. Adults are often seen flying around the base of, or sitting in the sun on trunks and stumps. They have occasionally been found at Crataegus flowers, and have also been recorded visiting flowers of Ranunculus. There are several records of specimens found indoors on windows in wooded districts Distribution: This species is proving to be more frequent and widespread than previously believed and, whilst it is recorded most frequently from well-wooded areas of southern Britain, it is widespread north to central Scotland. Uncommon in North Devon/Cornwall First recorded in 1994 and regular. May-July peak mid May-mid June Chalcosyrphus nemorum Biology: The larvae are found in runs and other accumulations of sap under the bark of water-sodden fallen trees or branches or in wet rot-holes. This species is generally found in wet, wooded situations, but adults can also occur on sunny vegetation at the edges of woods and along rides. They may be regular visitor to Ranunculus and other yellow flowers Distribution: Although widespread in Britain, this species is very local everywhere and never seems to be found in abundance. It is more frequent in the south than elsewhere Cheilosia albitarsis Biology: The larvae have been found in the rootstocks of large Ranunculus repens plants in late summer. Adults can be found in damp meadows, marshy places and grassy woodland rides, where they are most frequently seen at flowers of Ranunculus repens and R. bulbosus (rarely R. acris), but other white and yellow flowers are also visited. According to Speight (1998) this is an “anthropogenic species, favoured by present-day farming practises.” Distribution: A widespread and often abundant species throughout Britain Common in North Devon/Cornwall April-July peak second half of May Cheilosia antiqua Biology: The larvae feed in the rootstocks of Primula, where they hollow out cavities in the thickened stem bases, often killing the plants. Found in woodland clearings and tracksides and unimproved pastures where the foodplants grow. Adults are generally found along woodland rides or edges, and along old hedges, where they fly low-down amongst the vegetation Distribution: Records are thinly scattered from throughout Britain. Some records for C. antiqua may actually refer to Melanogaster hirtella, male specimens of which are not infrequently mistaken for this species Cheilosia honesta (lasiopa) Cheilosia fraterna Biology: The larvae mine the stems and basal rosettes of Cirsium palustre. Adults are often seen visiting flowers such as Ranunculus in situations where the larval food plant occurs, such as marshes and damp meadows. According to Speight (1998) this is a woodland species found in clearings, often along streams or rivers Distribution: Although widely distributed and frequent, this species seems to be more abundant in the north and west. The specimen described as ‘ Cheilosia species C’ of Stubbs & Falk (1983), seems to be a particularly small individual from the second generation of this species (Falk quoted in Stubbs, 1996) Cheilosia griseiventris Biology: Separated from C. intonsa by Stubbs & Falk, 1983; the available British voucher specimens are distinctly different from that species, with longer bodies and darker wings. The larvae are unknown, but thought to be associated with yellow composites such as Hypochoeris. Adults have been found in a variety of locations including sites on chalk, sand and clay soils. Not considered as distinct from C. latifrons (=intonsa) by most European workers Distribution: Almost all records lie south of a line between the Severn and the Vale of Pickering, with more records from the west of this area Cheilosia honesta (lasiopa) Biology: The larvae of this species remain unknown. Adults are often found visiting flowers such as Anthriscus sylvestris in wooded localities, both deciduous and coniferous. Usually found in sheltered situations such as clearings and tracksides and often settles on sun-lit foliage Distribution: Not uncommon in southern Britain north to about Merseyside and southern Yorkshire. Elsewhere there are very few, widely scattered records north to Aberdeenshire. There appear to be many more records from the east of its range Frequent in North Devon/Cornwall April-July peak May Cheilosia pagana Biology: The larvae inhabit semi-liquid, decaying tissue in the roots of plants. For example, there is a rearing record from decaying roots of Anthriscus sylvestris (Stubbs, 1980). Adults are usually found on flowers, often white umbells such as Anthriscus and Heracleum, in clearings and rides in woods, on waste ground, roadsides, hedgerows, rough field-edges, etc Distribution: Widespread and common throughout Britain Cheilosia proxima Biology: The larvae inhabit the roots of Cirsium spp, especially Cirsium palustre. Adults are frequently found visiting white umbells such as Heracleum and flowering bushes such as Crataegus and Prunus spinosa, along woodland rides and edges (deciduous and coniferous), scrub and hedgerows. Males tend to hover quite high up near trees and bushes and both sexes frequently settle on sun-lit foliage at some height above the ground Distribution: A widespread and common species north to Yorkshire and Cumbria, becoming scarcer further north, although records extend into northern Scotland. The segregation into species D and E by Stubbs & Falk (1983) has been found, on further investigation, to represent the spring and summer generations of a single species Cheilosia ranunculi Very little data available Cheilosia variabilis Biology: The larvae have been found in the roots of Scrophularia nodosa and S. auriculata. Adults are usually found in damp woodland rides or similar lush, wooded locations, and have been seen visiting the flowers of Scrophularia. The males, which are distinctive because of their large size, elongate form and long, dark wings, are commonly found basking on sunlit leaves Distribution: Widespread and common throughout Britain Cheilosia vernalis Biology: The larvae are thought to tunnel in the stems of Achillea, Matricaria, Tragopogon and Sonchus. Adults are usually found on low-growing Asteraceae or white umbels in open, flowery situations such as dry grassland, heathland margins, road verges and waste ground. Also in grassy clearings in woodland and in dunes Distribution: Widespread and frequent in southern Britain. Less frequent in the north, with records extending to northern Scotland Cheilosia illustrata Biology: The larvae have been found in the large rootstocks of Heracleum sphondylium.). Adults are most commonly found at flowers of Heracleum and other white umbells along glades, tracksides, hedges, etc. and are a typical component of the mid-summer fauna of hogweed flowers Distribution: A very common species throughout Britain wherever white umbells such as Heracleum and Angelica grow Common in North Devon/Cornwall April-September peaks July and August Cheilosia impressa Biology: The larvae of this species remain unknown. Adults are found in damp situations such as carr woodland and wooded river-banks, where they visit white umbells, especially Oenanthe crocata, and a range of other flowers including yellow composites and Ranunculus. Males hover at moderate height in sheltered situations in clearings and glades Distribution: A frequent species in southern England south of a line from the Wash to the Severn, becoming increasingly scarce further north and extending as far as Stirling Local in North Devon/Cornwall May-September peak mid July-August Very early record on reserve 11 May 1996 Chrysogaster solstitialis Biology: The larvae inhabit organically-rich mud at the edge of seepages, brooks and small water bodies in woodland and scrub.