Cheilosia chrysocoma

[stuart]

Cheilosia chrysocoma (Meigen, 1822)

Identification ease/difficulty: 3

Status

• Rare in Falk (1991)

Habitat indicator status

• H2 in Stubbs (1982)

Sources of information

• Map here and page 29 in Ball & Morris (2000)
• Page 248, Pl. E, fig. 1, Pl. 6, fig. 5 in Stubbs & Falk (2002)

Pictures:

[stuart]

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

Cheilosia chrysocoma (Meigen, 1822)

Biology: The larvae of this species remain unknown, but egg laying has been observed on Angelica sylvestris in Europe (Doczkal, 1996). Adults are typically found sitting on paths, or occasionally at flowers such as Salix catkins, in woodland rides, glades or edges, often, but not exclusively, on calcareous soils and usually with marshy conditions nearby

Distribution: Records are thinly scattered north to central Scotland, including north-west England and Wales, with a group of recent records in Berkshire and Oxfordshire

[stuart]

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

CHEILOSIA CHRYSOCOMA (Meigen) RARE

DISTRIBUTION Records widely scattered in England, Wales and as far north as Perthshire in Scotland. Most frequent in Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Oxfordshire.

HABITAT Broadleaved woodland. Rides and glades at edges of woods in or near marshy areas are preferred, especially where calcareous soils are present.

ECOLOGY Larvae probably phytophagous though the host plant is unknown. Adults recorded from April to August suggesting the presence of two broods.

STATUS A widespread but extremely local species with about a dozen known post 1960 sites. This species is not listed in Shirt (1987).

THREAT Clearance of woodland and drainage of marshy areas for agricultural improvement or afforestation.

MANAGEMENT Maintain rides and clearings in woods, also a high, stable water level in adjacent marshes to encourage a rich and varied flora and prevent scrub invasion. Coppicing could be beneficial.