Melangyna arctica

[stuart]

Melangyna arctica (Zetterstedt, [1838])

Identification ease/difficulty: 4

Sources of information

• Page 140 in Stubbs & Falk (1983)
• Larval plate Pl. 6d in Rotheray (1993)
• Map here and page 83 in Ball & Morris (2000)
• Page 213 in Stubbs & Falk (2002)

[stuart]

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

Melangyna arctica (Zetterstedt, 1838) Syrphus arcticus Zetterstedt in Coe (1953)

Biology: The larvae are aphidophagous, appearing to have a clear preferences for Pterocallis ulnii on Alnus. Adults usually fly around foliage and flowers in trees, but can also be found visiting flowers at ground level. They usually occur in or near woodland, both coniferous and deciduous

Distribution: This is mainly a northern species with most records from Scotland and northern England. There are scattered records throughout Britain except for the East Midlands and south-east England

[stuart]

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

MELANGYNA BARBIFRONS (Fallen) NOTABLE

DISTRIBUTION Records widely dispersed in southern England as far north as Lancashire, also North Wales (Merionethshire) and possibly from Aviemore in Scotland (needs confirmation).

HABITAT Broadleaved woodland, a rather loose association and often found on commons nearby.

ECOLOGY Larvae probably aphidophagous though on what species is unknown. Adults recorded from March until June (peak April) and frequent sallow blossom and wood anemone Anemone nemorosa.

STATUS Infrequent and very local with only a handful of post 1960 sites known. It is likely to be under recorded through the early flight period (peak in March and April) and males are exceedingly elusive, suggesting a canopy dwelling nature in this sex.

THREAT Clearance of broadleaved woodland for agriculture and intensive forestry. Shading out of rides and clearings within woods.

MANAGEMENT Maintain open rides and clearings, ensuring the presence of sallows and other spring flowers for adult feeding.