Platycheirus discimanus

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Platycheirus discimanus (Loew, 1871)

Identification ease/difficulty: 3

Status

• Notable in Falk (1991)

Habitat indicator status

• H2 in Stubbs (1982)

Sources of information

• Page 121, Pl. A, fig 4; Pl. 1, fig 10 in Stubbs & Falk (1983)
• Map here and page 115 in Ball & Morris (2000)
• Page 177, Pl. R, fig. 4; Pl. 1, fig. 10 in Stubbs & Falk (2002)

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

Platycheirus discimanus Loew, 1871

Biology: Larvae unknown. Usually found around spring blossom, especially Prunus spinosa and Salix, in sheltered situations such as woodland edges (both deciduous and coniferous) and hedgerows. Adults can be found visiting the flowers, or resting in the immediate vicinity of flowering bushes where they sun themselves on dead grass tussocks, etc

Distribution: This species may well be overlooked because of its early flight period and its resemblance to the very common P. albimanus, which occurs in similar situations. Records are scarce, but widely scattered; although they tend to be concentrated towards the lowlands of southern England, there are records from upland localities in northern England and Scotland

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Datasheet from the Review of Scarce and Threatened Diptera, Falk (1991).

PLATYCHEIRUS DISCIMANUS Loew NOTABLE

DISTRIBUTION Records widely dispersed in England and Scotland (also the Isle of Man).

HABITAT Broadleaved woodland (where it will probably require open rides and clearings) and scrub areas of heaths etc.

ECOLOGY Larvae probably aphidophagous though details unknown. Adults recorded from April to June and frequent the blossom of sloe Prunus spinosa and other spring flowers.

STATUS A very local but widespread fly with about a 15 known post 1960 sites and occasionally not uncommon at ancient woodland sites such as the New Forest and certain parts of the Scottish Highlands, especially Speyside. The rather early flight period (peaks in April and May) and resemblance to the commoner P. albimanus and P. ambiguus may have led to some under recording.

THREAT Clearance of old woodland and heathland for agriculture and afforestation. Shading out of rides and clearings within woodland.

MANAGEMENT Maintain open rides and clearings in woods which may contain larval feeding sites and flowers for the adults and a mosaic of vegetation types on heathland, using traditional management and retaining limited areas of scrub, trees and bushes.