Helophilus lapponicus

Wahlberg, 1844

Yellow-margined Marsh Fly

Helophilus lapponicus is a Holarctic of hoverfly found across northern North America, northern Europe, Greenland, and Siberia. are medium-sized syrphid flies, 12.5–13.5 mm in length, commonly observed visiting flowers for nectar and pollen. The species is distinguished by yellow abdominal markings and specific wing venation. Larval remains undocumented, though congeneric species develop in wet decaying organic matter.

Helophilus lapponicus by Naomi Cappuccino. Used under a CC0 license.Helophilus lapponicus 4 by Chloe and Trevor Van Loon. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.Helophilus lapponicus 142510454 by Chloe and Trevor Van Loon. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Helophilus lapponicus: //ˌhɛloʊˈfɪləs læpˈpoʊnɪkəs//

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Identification

Distinguished from similar Helophilus by the yellow-margined abdominal pattern: second segment with large triangular yellow spots on each side, broadly separated medially; third segment with small orange spots on angles and narrow whitish arcuate bands; fourth segment with similar but less widely separated greyish pollinose spots. Wing with R4+5 strongly bent. deeply concave below with strongly produced . Hind tibiae moderately bent, not thickened at tip. Size 12.5–13.5 mm.

Images

Distribution

Holarctic: northern North America (Alaska, Canada, northern tier of U.S. states, Pacific states to Baja California, Rocky Mountain states), northern Europe, Greenland, and Siberia.

Seasonality

have been observed from March to October in North America.

Diet

feed on nectar and pollen from flowers. Larval diet unknown.

Behavior

are flower visitors, commonly found on flowers. Like other hoverflies, capable of remaining nearly motionless in .

Ecological Role

pollination of flowers. Potential larval decomposition of wet organic matter (inferred from congeneric , not confirmed for this species).

Human Relevance

None documented.

Similar Taxa

  • Helophilus fasciatusSimilar marsh hoverfly with yellow abdominal markings; distinguished by specific pattern of spots and bands on tergites 2–4 and wing venation details.
  • Helophilus pendulusEuropean with similar flower-visiting ; abdominal pattern differs in spot shape and separation.

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Sources and further reading