Eupeodes latifasciatus
(Macquart, 1829)
Broad-banded Aphideater, meadow field syrph
Eupeodes latifasciatus is a small with length 6.5–8.5 mm, distinguished by markings into on abdominal three and four. feed on nectar from diverse flowers and serve as . are , feeding on aphids and (). The has a broad distribution across the Palaearctic and Nearctic regions, with activity primarily from May to September.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Eupeodes latifasciatus: /juːˈpiːoʊdiːz ˌlæ.tɪ.fæs.siˈeɪ.təs/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Distinguished from similar Eupeodes , particularly E. corollae, by markings into on abdominal three and four that reach the margins. Male with straight, parallel margins of yellow spots; female with entirely shiny lacking spots and yellow lateral margins on tergite 5.
Images
Habitat
Wetland and open ground including fens, humid grassland, stream margins in open country, and unsown land. Prefers lush vegetation and damp meadows over garden environments.
Distribution
Palaearctic: Fennoscandia south to Iberia and Mediterranean basin, Turkey, Ireland east through Europe to European Russia, Russian Far East, Siberia to Pacific coast (Sakhalin, Kuril Islands), India. Nearctic: Alaska south to California and Texas. Widespread in UK, more frequent in southern regions.
Seasonality
period May to September; April to October in southern Europe.
Diet
feed on nectar. are predatory, feeding on and ().
Host Associations
- Hemiptera - feed on and
Life Cycle
Females lay in or near colonies. through three before . is a convex pear-shaped structure attached to leaves, stems, or other substrates. emerge from the pupal case. Specific timing of developmental stages not documented.
Behavior
hover near flowers and visit blossoms for nectar. Females oviposit in proximity to colonies. are cryptic, often resembling discolored leaf .
Ecological Role
function as of various flowering plants. serve as agents of and .
Human Relevance
in gardens and agricultural settings due to larval on pests. contribute to . Frequently mistaken for or due to , which may confer protection from .
Similar Taxa
- Eupeodes corollaeSimilar abdominal patterning, but E. latifasciatus has markings into reaching margins on tergites 3–4, whereas E. corollae has more separated spots.
Misconceptions
are often mistaken for -feeding or foliage pests and may be inadvertently destroyed during control efforts. are frequently mistaken for or due to protective .
More Details
Flowers visited
umbellifers, Caltha, Convolvulus, Euphorbia, Prunus padus, Ranunculus, Salix repens, Taraxacum, Tussilago, Ulex.
Genome
sequenced from female specimen collected in Wytham Woods, UK: 846 Mb span, 96.8% scaffolded into 4 chromosomal pseudomolecules (3 + ), complete mitochondrial genome 18.5 kb, 12,848 -coding genes annotated.