Eupeodes lapponicus

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Eupeodes lapponicus (Zetterstedt, [1838])

Nomenclature

• Metasyrphus lapponicus in Stubbs & Falk (1983)
• Metasyrphus lapponicus in RA33
• Metasyrphus lapponicus in Kloet & Hincks (1976)

Identification ease/difficulty: 4

Status

• Notable (as Metasyrphus lapponicus) in Falk (1991)

Sources of information

• Page 146, Pl. 3, fig 14 (as Metasyrphus lapponicus) in Stubbs & Falk (1983)
• Map here and page 69 in Ball & Morris (2000)
• Page 205, Pl. 3, fig. 14 in Stubbs & Falk (2002)

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

Eupeodes lapponicus (Zetterstedt, 1838) Syrphus lapponicus Zetterstedt in Coe (1953), Metasyrphus lapponicus (Zetterstedt) in Stubbs & Falk (1983)

Biology: The larvae have been found feeding at some height in conifers ( Picea), but also feeding on aphids on Euonymus and Quercus. Although little is known of adult requirements, an association with coniferous woodland is suspected. Some, but not all British records are from areas of native pinewood, but it has also been found recently visiting flowers along rides in a conifer plantation (Levy & Levy, 1998). There is some evidence that it overwinters as an adult, but over-wintering larvae and puparia have also been found in forest floor litter. All in all the picture is very confused at the moment and its status and requirements are very unclear

Distribution: A very rare species with old records from the Scottish Highlands, but with the very few recent records from south-west England. It is considered to be a highly migratory species in continental Europe

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

METASYRPHUS LAPPONICUS (Zetterstedt) NOTABLE

DISTRIBUTION The few British records are scattered in the Scottish Highlands (Perthshire, Aberdeenshire, Elgin, Sutherland).

HABITAT Probably woodland though exact requirements unkown, and it has been taken away from ancient pine woods.

ECOLOGY Larvae probably aphidophagous. Adults recorded in June and July.

STATUS On the continent this is a Scandinavian species and is felt to be somewhat migratory (which may have led to its accidental occurrence in Britain). Its separation from the closely related Metasyrphus (Lapposyrphus) species A (a migratory species probably associated with spruce plantations in Britain) is very difficult and may have resulted in some unreliable data.

THREAT Uncertain other than intensive forestry in the native woodlands in the Scottish Highlands.

MANAGEMENT Uncertain.