Dasysyrphus venustus

[stuart]

Dasysyrphus venustus (Meigen, 1822)

Identification ease/difficulty: 2

Sources of information

• Page 133, Pl. 3, fig 9 in Stubbs & Falk (1983)
• Larval plate Pl. 8f in Rotheray (1993)
• Map here and page 53 in Ball & Morris (2000)
• Page 196, Pl. 3, fig. 9 in Stubbs & Falk (2002)

[stuart]

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

Dasysyrphus venustus (Meigen, 1822) Syrphus venustus Meigen in Coe (1953)

Biology: The larvae are aphidophagous and arboreal, occurring on both coniferous and deciduous trees. They feed nocturnally and rest near the aphid colony by day on twigs and branches where they are superbly camouflaged by their bold colour patterns and frilly edges (see photograph in Rotheray, 1994). Adults are usually found near trees in situations such as woodland rides and edges, hedgerows and gardens. A wide range of flowers are visited

Distribution: Widespread throughout Britain to northern Scotland, but more frequent in southern Britain and scarce in the northern part of its range