Syrphus vitripennis

Meigen, 1822

Black-thighed Flower Fly

Syrphus vitripennis is a common Holarctic hoverfly (Syrphidae) with distinctive yellow and black -mimicking coloration. are medium-sized (8–11 mm body length, wing length 7.25–10.25 mm) and frequent flowers from March to October, peaking in July–August. Larvae are , making this economically significant for . The species is highly migratory, with documented seasonal movements between latitudes. It is one of five Syrphus species in Britain and can be difficult to distinguish from , particularly S. rectus in males.

Lapsana communis kz13 by Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.Syrphus vitripennis (female) by Sandy Rae. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.Syrphus vitripennis torvus (40183202591) by gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Syrphus vitripennis: //ˈsɪrfəs ˌvɪtrɪˈpɛnɪs//

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Identification

Males are indistinguishable from S. rectus; females separable by hind coloration (black on basal two-thirds in S. vitripennis versus yellow on basal half in S. rectus). Tergites 3 and 4 have entire yellow bands with black lateral margins. Second basal of wing only partially covered in microtrichia (versus complete coverage in S. ribesii and S. torvus). above lunulae black. Male: femora 3 black for basal three-quarters. Wing length 7.25–10.25 mm.

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Habitat

Deciduous and coniferous woodland, woodland clearings, field hedgerows, suburban gardens, and parks. Wide range of lowland .

Distribution

Holarctic. Palearctic: throughout Europe, common and widely distributed in Britain and Ireland. Nearctic: Alaska to California. Highly migratory; observed moving northwards from Isles of Scilly and Cornwall in June, with seasonal latitudinal movements to higher latitudes in spring and lower latitudes in autumn.

Seasonality

on wing March to October (March to November in some regions), peaking July–August. Overwinters as larva.

Diet

feed on nectar and pollen from flowers. Larvae are predatory, feeding on aphids.

Life Cycle

Overwinters as larva. emerge in spring and are active through autumn.

Behavior

Highly migratory with documented seasonal latitudinal movements. frequently hover near flowers.

Ecological Role

Larval stage functions as an , contributing to natural of aphid in agricultural and natural .

Human Relevance

Important agent; larvae prey on aphids that are agricultural pests. are . Frequently mistaken for honey bees or due to mimicry.

Similar Taxa

  • Syrphus rectusMales are morphologically indistinguishable; females separable by hind coloration pattern.
  • Syrphus ribesiiDistinguished by complete microtrichia coverage of second basal (versus partial in S. vitripennis).
  • Syrphus torvusDistinguished by complete microtrichia coverage of second basal (versus partial in S. vitripennis).

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Sources and further reading