Cheilosia albitarsis

Males distinguished by square-shaped tarsomere 5 on fore tarsus and black-haired thorax dorsum. Females identified by pale middle tarsomeres on fore tarsus, non-protruding mouth margin, and arista with hairs equal in length to arista diameter. Antero-lateral black hairs on tergite 2 present in males. Larval morphology illustrated by Rotheray (1993).

A large, broadly-built Cheilosia species with wing length 7–9.5 mm. Male: thorax dorsum covered with black hairs; fore tarsus with tarsomere 5 square in shape; tergite 2 with antero-lateral black hairs. Female: fore tarsus with middle tarsomeres pale; mouth margin not protruding downward; arista with hair length equal to diameter of arista.

Woodland and forest clearings, agricultural land, montane pasture, and subalpine pasture. Occupies both lowland and elevated environments.

Throughout the Palearctic region. Documented presence in Belgium (Flanders, Brussels-Capital Region, Flemish Region, Walloon Region).

Adult flight period April to June, extending into July at higher altitudes.

• Ranunculus - larval host plantButtercup flowers; adults also visit these flowers

Larval stage develops in buttercup (Ranunculus) plants. Specific developmental details beyond host association not documented.

Adults visit flowers for nectar and pollen. Strongly associated with buttercup flowers in spring.

Adults contribute to pollination of visited flowers. Larval association with buttercups suggests potential herbivory or internal feeding within host plant tissues.

• Other Cheilosia speciesRequires examination of tarsal characters, thoracic hair color, and arista morphology for differentiation; C. albitarsis distinguished by specific combinations of pale tarsomeres in females and square tarsomere 5 in males

• hoverfly
• syrphid
• Palearctic
• spring
• buttercup associate
• pollinator

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life