Cheilosia variabilis

[stuart]

Cheilosia variabilis (Panzer, [1798])

Identification ease/difficulty: 2

Sources of information

• Page 174, Pl. 6, fig 6 in Stubbs & Falk (1983)
• Map here and page 40 in Ball & Morris (2000)
• Page 262, Pl. F, fig. 3, Pl. 6, fig. 6 in Stubbs & Falk (2002)

Pictures:

[stuart]

Species account from Provisional atlas of British hoverflies, Ball & Morris, 2000.

Cheilosia variabilis (Panzer, 1798)

Biology: The larvae have been found in the roots of Scrophularia nodosa and S. auriculata. Adults are usually found in damp woodland rides or similar lush, wooded locations, and have been seen visiting the flowers of Scrophularia. The males, which are distinctive because of their large size, elongate form and long, dark wings, are commonly found basking on sunlit leaves

Distribution: Widespread and common throughout Britain