Helophilus hybridus

Loew, 1846

hoverfly

Helophilus hybridus is a Palearctic hoverfly in the Syrphidae. are medium-sized with distinctive yellow and black abdominal patterning. The species is associated with wetland across northern and central Europe, extending eastward through Russia to the Pacific coast. Larvae develop in aquatic or semi-aquatic environments with organic matter.

The hoverfly Helophilus hybridus, Lunt Meadows Nature Reserve - geograph.org.uk - 5064273 by Mike Pennington . Used under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license.Helophilus hybridus 3 by Acclivity2. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.Helophilus hybridus (male) by Sandy Rae. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Helophilus hybridus: /hɛˈlɒfɪləs hʌɪˈbrɪdəs/

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Identification

Wing length 8.5–11.25 mm. 3 with yellow on top quarter or less. Tibiae 3 pale on basal quarter or less. Males have large yellow spots on tergite 2 that reach the hind margin over their full width. Distinguished from similar Helophilus by the extent and pattern of yellow markings on the legs and .

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Habitat

Wetlands including non-eutrophic pools in fen, poor fen, deciduous woodland, dune slacks, cutover valley bog, fen carr, and taiga.

Distribution

Palearctic: Fennoscandia south to North France, Ireland east through North and Central Europe (including the Alps) into Russia, continuing through the Russian Far East and Siberia to the Pacific coast, and Mongolia. Nearctic: Alaska to Nova Scotia and south to Utah.

Seasonality

period from early May to early September.

Diet

visit flowers for nectar and pollen. Documented flower records include white umbellifers, Calluna vulgaris, Cirsium, Convolvulus, Crataegus, Echium, Euphorbia, Limonium, Lycopus, Mentha aquatica, Menyanthes, Narthecium, Parnassia palustris, Plantago, Pulicaria, Rosa, Rubus, Salix repens, Salix, Senecio, Sorbus, Succisa, Taraxacum, and Valeriana.

Life Cycle

Larva aquatic or semi-aquatic; develops in organic-rich standing water or saturated substrates. Larva illustrated by Hartley (1961). occurs on dry land.

Ecological Role

function as . Larvae contribute to nutrient cycling in wetland through feeding on organic matter and microorganisms.

Similar Taxa

  • Helophilus fasciatusSimilar yellow and black abdominal patterning, but differs in leg coloration and distribution (Nearctic with limited Palearctic overlap)
  • Helophilus pendulusOverlapping and range; distinguished by differences in yellow markings on tergites and leg patterning

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Sources and further reading