Parasitic Flies - Tachinidae

To identify flies to family level use a simple wing venation key such as A Key to the Families of British Diptera, an AIDGAP by D. Unwin, published by the FSC and available as a free download (scroll down to the titles list) or a more detailed key which includes many physical characters such as The European Families of the Diptera by P. Oosterbroek. The expert dipterists on the DipteraInfo forum are also very happy to identify, often to species level, from good photographs.

Tachinidae flies are a large family, with hundreds of species in France. They range in size from about 2 mm up to about 20 mm. Most of them are very bristly and many resemble blowflies (Calliphoridae). They are generally parasites of caterpillars and other pre-adult insect forms (occasionally adult bugs and grasshoppers). The female Tachinid lays her eggs either directly on a caterpillar or on a plant where the egg will be ingested by the caterpillar. The egg hatches into a larva inside the caterpillar and this larva consumes the caterpillar from the inside before pupating and emerging as an adult fly.

They can be distinguished by their subscutellum, a cushion like body part which sits below the scutellum (the crescent shaped part that sits between the thorax and the abdomen on a fly). Only one other fly family has a post-scutellum. They also have a very sharp bend in the main long vein on their wing. Chris Raper has posted a photo of a typical Tachinid wing and subscutellums on his excellent blog / website, the Tachinid Recording Scheme.

Chris is extremely approachable, so if you would like a fly you suspect to be a Tachinid identified, do not hesitate to contact him. The other highly recommended site for getting flies identified from photos is the DipteraInfo forum, where there are a number of Tachinid experts happy to help. Remember that identification to species level usually depends on having several photos taken from different angles, in focus and showing a high level of detail (down to the exact position of each hair being visible, for example).

Further information on our daily blog, Days on the Claise:
Gymnosoma sp (includes photos of the lookalike species, Ectophasia crassipennis).
Tachina sp

Photographed by Loire Valley Nature:
Photographs numbered from left to right and top to bottom. 1 - 2 Tachina cf magnicornis in the Parc de Boussay, April.

Cylindromyia bicolor -- the easiest of this distinctive genus to identify as it is the only species with a red tipped abdomen. It is also rather large for the genus and very obvious in the field. Seen here nectaring on Wild Carrot Daucus carota.

Cylindromyia bicolor -- the easiest of this distinctive genus to identify as it is the only species with a red tipped abdomen. It is also rather large for the genus and very obvious in the field. Seen here nectaring on Wild Carrot Daucus carota.

Giant Tachinid Fly Tachina grossa, a distinctive and easy to identify species. It is large (15 - 20 mm), with a black body covered in bristles, a yellow head and a very sharp bend in the main vein on the wing.

Giant Tachinid Fly Tachina grossa. Don't confuse with unrelated lookalike Noon Fly Mesembrina meridiana (Muscidae), which also has a black body, yellow wing bases and a yellow face. The difference is that the Noon Fly is black on top of the head and a curve rather than a right angle bend on the main wing vein.

Giant Tachinid Fly Tachina grossa can be found in heathland and parasitises the caterpillars of moths such as the Oak Eggar Lasiocampa quercus.

Pales pavida, at first glance looks like a small dull bluebottle Calliphora sp. The main give away is the red-brown tip to the scutellum (the small semi-circular part between the thorax and the abdomen), which bluebottles do not have. Its larvae are endoparasitoids of the caterpillars of many species of moths and butterflies, including some significant pest species.

Peleteria cf varia, nectaring on flowering Ivy Hedera helix. Peleteria are medium large flies, closely related to Tachina. They can be identified by the 2-4 black bristles between the eye and the mouth, known as 'the Peleteria bristles', just visible in this photo (don't confuse with the strong black vibrissae bristles, which are closer to the mouth). This species has orangey-yellow second antennal segments and is the most common of the Peleteria here. Found in warm, open, dry habitats, June to September (November). The larval host is unknown.

Peleteria cf varia, the same individual as above, demonstrating how the colour can appear completely different from a different angle. This is due to the pruinose scales (also known as 'dusting') which this species has to a greater or lesser extent (rather variable from individual to individual and depending on the age of the specimen, as the dusting can wear off).

Male Ectophasia crassipennis on Wild Carrot Daucus carota. This species is common in late summer. It is very variable in appearance (colour of body, dark marks on wings, size). The abdomen is noticeably flattened. It parasitizes bugs such as stink bugs, shield bugs and leaf-footed bugs.

Rural Tracks

Throughout France there is a network of variously named public rights of way. One of the most frequently encountered by walkers is the chemin rural (plural chemins ruraux). These are (usually) unpaved tracks owned and maintained by the local commune. They are almost always ancient laneways, winding through farms and today used by walkers, horse riders, hunters and farmers. Sometimes they are unmarked, but usually they have a small sign at either end with the letter R, C or V and an a number to identify them. They also frequently have the standardised walking trail symbols posted along them and appear on maps as part of the national hiking trail (randonnée) network. Even when they appear to be private farm tracks, the public is permitted to walk them. Walking them in all seasons is a great way to get to know the wildlife of this area, as they are usually long thin grasslands bordered by hedges, woodland or agricultural land, and sometimes even aquatic habitats such as streams, ditches, springs and ponds. You are unlikely to meet another person on most of them.

A chemin rural near Yzeures sur Creuse, October.

A chemin rural near Yzeures sur Creuse, October.

A notice issued by the local authority who has responsibility for maintaining this chemin rural, stapled to a trackside tree. It says that motorised vehicles are not permitted on this track between October and May ie the months when it is likely to be wet. The commune very sensibly does not want the track churned up and ruined by hunters' vans or farm machinery.

Bird watching in the Brenne down a track near la Maison du Parc.

Bird watching in the Brenne, near l'Etang vieux. This track had a sign temporarily banning agricultural vehicles because it was flooded, however that didn't stop anyone on foot who was prepared to take off their boots and slosh.

The sign on this track in the Brenne says 'Attention. Track under repair. Do not tow vehicles down it.' There was no problem (apart from ankle deep water) in walking down it.

A track through the bocage country along the River Vienne near Chinon.

A track through arable crop land and forest. This is one of my butterfly transects.

Gardens

Gardens are increasingly important as habitat, particularly when a string of gardens join together, effectively becoming a single site. With the increasing loss of natural habitats, man made spaces such as gardens can provide a haven for birds, mammals, insects, reptiles and amphibians. A few simple features in your garden can benefit wildlife, and produce rewards in terms of increased biodiversity for very little effort .

A Compost Heap:

A compost heap provides habitat for the larval stages of insects (eg certain species of Soldier Fly Stratiomyidae, Rose Chafers Cetonia aurata); nesting sites for reptiles (eg Western Whip Snake Hierophis viridiflavus); and a source of nutrients for fungal mycorrhiza. The flies, beetles and fungi are all acting to break down the organic matter in the compost heap so you can recycle the nutrients back into the garden soil. The snake is simply using the heat, humidity and protection of a pile of rotting plant material as a safe and comfortable nest and hibernacle. Non-venomous snakes such as this are no threat to your safety in the garden and will help keep down the population of nut, vegetable and root munching small rodents (such as voles and mice).

A 'Wild Flower' Meadow:

This 'wild' flower meadow is at la Chatonniere. A mixture of native and non-native seeds are sown in conjunction with a cereal crop such as oats to form a flowery meadow in the summer.

The flowers include Field Poppies, Californian Poppies (not native), Annual Cornflowers and Viper's Bugloss. The choice of flowers is partly aesthetic, but also to encourage biodiversity in this organic garden.

The flowers attract pollinators and the undisturbed long vegetation allows bumble bees to nest safely. Many small creatures will be attracted to the unmown, untreated site.

Safety features:

A stick placed in a water butt allows small creatures that fall in to exit. With no easy to grip 'escape ladder' lizards for example, which often find themselves in the water butt, will get too cold to pull themselves up the plastic sides and will drown. It is a good idea to also place a square of polystyrene as a float that creatures can clamber up onto rather than have to swim and exhaust themselves.

Areas of Semi-Natural Grassland:
If your garden is large enough, or includes an area such as an orchard, one of the easiest ways of managing parts of it are as semi-natural grassland ie native grass rather than lawn, with self seeded wildflowers. It differs from the 'Wildflower Meadow' above because there is no need to augment the plants by sowing extra seed. This type of grass requires mowing just once a year, in September. By this time in the season all the wildflowers will have set seed, and what is left to mow won't be too lush. You can safely leave the mown 'grass' on the ground and it will not increase the fertility of the soil. The system saves a lot of time and effort. You keep woody species (eg self seeded trees) under control and prevent scrub developing because you cut them off annually, and you prevent many weed species (eg nettles) from dominating as the soil remains low in fertility. If you wish you can mow paths through the grass throughout the year, but you must take the clippings away. It is a good idea to stake plants that you particularly wish to protect from being stood on or mowed over in the spring and summer.

If you want to put a bit more work in to maintaining the natural grass and wildflowers and have the time, you can choose to rake up the mown grass rather than leave it lie. The resulting 'hay' can be deposited around fruit trees. The action of raking will lift matted vegetation, reduce soil fertility and create random bare areas for wild flower seeds to germinate and thrive with less competition from the grass. You can also grub out the woody 'volunteers' if you are feeling strong and energetic. It will prevent them coppicing from repeated cutting and annual growth cycles and forming trip hazards or eventually getting too thick for the mower to cope with.

You will be amazed at the variety of wildflowers that will spontaneous appear. With the wildflowers will come bees, butterflies and flower visiting beetles. Dragonflies will appreciate the longer vegetation, as will small mammals and reptiles. Having an area of semi-natural grassland is probably the single easiest and most effective way of increasing and maintaining the biodiversity of your garden.

Our orchard is mowed in the autumn, and by December orchid leaf rosettes are easily visible. They are staked to prevent people accidently standing on them or being mowed over when spring paths are created. The stakes are trimmed prunings from the fruit trees.

An  orchid leaf rosette amongst the grass and other wildflowers in the winter, carefully staked so as to mark its position and protect it from being trodden on or mowed over.

A Brash Pile:

If you have the room, a pile of brash (hedge clippings, fruit tree prunings) makes a great shelter for medium sized mammals such as hedgehogs, as well as reptiles (especially snakes) and amphibians (especially newts). The brash is all the vegetative matter that is too big or woody to compost. You may wish to burn it in the winter, but if you do so, make sure you take material off the pile and make a bonfire in a separate place on the day you plan to burn. Don't burn all of the material at once. By building a new pile for burning and not using all the material you ensure that you don't inadvertently kill creatures living under the pile.

Insect Hotels:

Insect hotels provide nesting sites for solitary bees and wasps, hibernation and resting sites for other insects, sanctuary for amphibians and reptiles. They can be made from old pallets and stocked with a range of dry grass, bamboo of different dimensions, wooden blocks with drilled holes of different dimensions, sticks and twigs, stones and terracotta shards, moss. Give it a roof with eaves to protect the entrances to holes from the weather. Place it is a sunny position facing south or east.

March Flies - Bibionidae

To identify flies to family level use a simple wing venation key such as A Key to the Families of British Diptera, an AIDGAP by D. Unwin, published by the FSC and available as a free download (scroll down to the titles list) or a more detailed key which includes many physical characters such as The European Families of the Diptera by P. Oosterbroek. The expert dipterists on the DipteraInfo forum are also very happy to identify, often to species level, from good photographs.

These primitive gnat like flies are not to be confused with the group of flies in Australia known as March Flies (which are Tabanidae, called Horse Flies in Europe).

European March Flies are often called St Mark's Flies if they are of the genus Bibio (because they appear around St Mark's Day, 25 April) or Fever Flies if they are of the genus Dilophus.

Female Bibio cf marci (below). 'Cf' means the species identification is not certain, but it is probably the species mentioned, or a closely related species. B. marci is a common species with completely black legs. Photographed in April.
They can be present in large numbers in the spring, drifting listlessly around in long grass, legs dangling. Most of them are black, but some of the females are red-brown. To identify them to species level you need to observe whether they have dark or light hair and whether their legs are entirely black or have some red-brown.

Saint Mark's Flies B. marci mating on a pear tree in our orchard. Male on the left, female on the right.

Female Saint Mark's Fly B. marci resting on a Ribbed Plantain Plantago lanceolata flower bud by the side of a farm track.

Saint Mark's Flies B. marci mating on a grape vine in our orchard. Female to the left, male to the right.

Male Bibio cf lanigerus, a fairly common species with pale hair and brownish legs (below). Photographed in April.
Males and females look rather different because the males have large eyes and females small eyes.

House Flies - Muscidae

To identify flies to family level use a simple wing venation key such as A Key to the Families of British Diptera, an AIDGAP by D. Unwin, published by the FSC and available as a free download (scroll down to the titles list) or a more detailed key which includes many physical characters such as The European Families of the Diptera by P. Oosterbroek. The expert dipterists on the DipteraInfo forum are also very happy to identify, often to species level, from good photographs.

The House Fly family contains about 575 species in Europe, most of them grey or blackish. They range in size from 2 mm to 18 mm. Most have larvae which feed on decaying matter, and many species are synanthropic (associated with man and human habitation). Most of the adults feed on nectar, but a few are predatory or feed on blood or other bodily fluids.

Noon Fly Mesembrina meridiana: Often seen basking in the sun, especially on umbellifers. Found in woods and hedgerows, breeds in dung. Adults active from March to October (November). Don't confuse this species with the black and yellow Giant Tachinid Fly Tachina grossa, which is a somewhat more robust and hairy species with a completely yellow head, not just a yellow face.

A Noon Fly nectaring on Ivy Hedera helix is joined by the blow fly Stomorhina lunata (above) and the drone fly Eristalis sp to the right.

A Noon Fly is joined on flowering Ivy Hedera helix by (from left to right) the parasitic fly Peleteria varia, an Urban Blow Fly Calliphora vicina and two drone flies Eristalis sp.

Graphomya maculata (la Graphomyie tachetée in French) female is joined on Ivy Hedera helix flowers by the blow fly Stomorhina lunata Calliphoridae. Graphomya is in the sub-family Muscinae, which have a bend in their main wing vein, unlike other Muscidae. The adults are active from May to October and usually seen on umbellifers. The larvae are predatory, living in damp leaf litter and mud.

Ivy - Hedera helix

Scientific Name: Hedera helix subsp helix (Araliaceae).


English Name: Common Ivy; English Ivy; Bind Wood (Ivy family).


French Name: Le Lierre; le Lierre grimpant (='climbing ivy').

5 Key Characters:

• evergreen climber which will go up trees or structures to 30 m.
• forms carpets on woodland floor.
• juvenile leaves on non-flowering stems are divided into 5 lobes.
• mature leaves are pointed ovals.
• has abundant greenish flowers, followed by black berries, on stems which have sufficient light.

Lookalikes: Non-native Boston Ivy Parthenocisus tricuspidata, an invasive from gardens, which has leaves which are always lobed, turn red in the autumn and drop, leaving the stems bare in winter.


Habitat: Dry woods, hedgerows, walls, rocks.


Flowering Period: September-October-November. 

Status: Very common and widespread. An important source of nectar for insects in late autumn when not much else is flowering. Also provides shelter for hibernating insects.


Photographed by Loire Valley Nature:

50% of the visitors to Ivy flowers are flies. From left to right these are Noon Fly Mesembrina meridiana Muscidae, Stomorhina lunata Calliphoridae, Sepsis sp Sepsidae, Greenbottle Lucilia cf illustris Calliphoridae and Drone Fly Eristalis sp Syrphidae.

Flies visiting Ivy flowers. A Parasitic Fly Tachinidae is joined by Drone Flies Eristalis sp Syrphidae and Greenbottles Lucilia sp Calliphoridae.

Helophilus spp hover flies

To identify flies to family level use a simple wing venation key such as A Key to the Families of British Diptera, an AIDGAP by D. Unwin, published by the FSC and available as a free download (scroll down to the titles list) or a more detailed key which includes many physical characters such as The European Families of the Diptera by P. Oosterbroek. The expert dipterists on the DipteraInfo forum are also very happy to identify, often to species level, from good photographs.


The Helophilus genus of hover flies are closely related to drone flies Eristalis spp and have the same distinctive loop in the main wing vein. However, Helophilus have a striped thorax and bright yellow and black abdomen, which makes them easy to distinguish from drone flies. There are only 3 species of Helophilus which occur in France, but they are very similar in appearance. There are a few other related hover flies that have striped thoraxes, but except for Mesembrius peregrinus they are smaller and not so brightly coloured.

Striped Hover Fly Helophilus pendulus: The easiest way to tell this species from the other two is by the extent of yellow on the hind tibia, which should be more than half, from the knee down (other species have more black). It has a black stripe on the face. It is the most common and widespread species you will encounter here. The larvae live in wet manure, farmyard drains and sawdust. Adults sometimes occur together in numbers, either by ditches, puddles and pond margins, or in sunny spots with bushes and flowers. It often sits on leaves and makes a buzzing sound. Adults are active from April to November and most likely to be seen June - August.

A Striped Hover Fly, resting on an Ivy Hedera helix leaf. Note that only the basal third (the ankle end) of the hind tibia is black.

Blowflies - Calliphoridae

To identify flies to family level use a simple wing venation key such as A Key to the Families of British Diptera, an AIDGAP by D. Unwin, published by the FSC and available as a free download (scroll down to the titles list) or a more detailed key which includes many physical characters such as The European Families of the Diptera by P. Oosterbroek. The expert dipterists on the DipteraInfo forum are also very happy to identify, often to species level, from good photographs.

Blowflies Calliphoridae are a large family of robust flies. In Europe many are metallic green or blue or at least have a metallic or irridescent sheen. Those that are not metallic have a distinctive camouflage pattern of shifting tessellations in shades of grey and beige. The metallic green species can go bronzy with age. Calliphorids can be mistaken for Parasitic Flies Tachinidae because they are generally rather bristly and their 4th long wing vein bends very sharply forward towards the tip of the wing. Adult flies tolerate quite low temperatures and can be seen sunbathing in any month of the year. Most breed in carrion and/or household waste of animal origin. As a result of their importance in forensic investigations, a great deal is known about the life cycles of some species of Calliphoridae. Several species are very synantropic ie. associate closely with man and human settlements, and the two species people see most often are Calliphora vicina (a bluebottle) and Lucilia sericata (a greenbottle) because they are common around domestic dwellings and in urban environments.

As with any flies, if you want something identified you can go to no better online forum than Diptera.info. If you have good sharp photos with lots of detail, the forum members will be happy to identify your Calliphorid to genus level and sometimes even to species level.

Bellardia sp
Bellardia sp look like a small bluebottle Calliphora sp. They have a greenish tinge which distinguishs them from other similar species. The larvae are believed to be parasites or predators of earthworms, and they overwinter as larvae. The 5 species in France are all extremely similar and are impossible to identify to species level from photographs taken in the field. The female below was photographed in improved pasture in the Brenne, May.












Stomorhina lunata: the only member of the subfamily Rhiniiae that occurs in this area, it is often not recognised as a blow fly, but mistaken for a hover fly. The larvae are an important predator of locusts, as they eat the eggs.

Male Stomorhina lunata nectaring on Ivy Hedera helix.

Urban Bluebottle Calliphora vicina: There are several species of Calliphora, all looking very similar, that you might see in this area, but this is by far the most common. It can be distinguished from the next most common species, C. vomitoria, by its red cheeks and black beard (C. vomitoria has the inverse -- black cheeks and a red beard). The Urban Bluebottle is the only Calliphora to have the wing joint parts brown rather than black and yellow anterior spiracles (little breathing vents on the side of the body, just below the 'shoulder' -- you can clearly see it on the fly centre bottom in this photo). A very common, widespread and abundant species, particularly associated with man and human habitation.

Female, nectaring on Ivy Hedera helix.

Drone Flies - Eristalis spp

To identify flies to family level use a simple wing venation key such as A Key to the Families of British Diptera, an AIDGAP by D. Unwin, published by the FSC and available as a free download (scroll down to the titles list) or a more detailed key which includes many physical characters such as The European Families of the Diptera by P. Oosterbroek. The expert dipterists on the DipteraInfo forum are also very happy to identify, often to species level, from good photographs.

Drone Flies Eristalis spp are widespread and common members of the Hover Fly family Syrphidae. The Eristalini can be identified by the deep loop in the R4+5 wing vein (see here). They are superb Honey Bee Apis mellifera mimics, and are frequently mistaken for bees. All the species are very variable, especially in terms of the area of light / brighter markings on the abdomen. As a general rule, they are darker when they have been pupae in cold weather and lighter or brighter when they have pupated in warm weather.

The larvae are known as rat-tailed maggots and live in organically rich aquatic habitats such as ponds and ditches. Adults are found in any place that has an abundance of flowers. There are about a dozen species that occur in this area.

E. interruptus: an abundant late summer species here. Syn E. nemorum. This species can be identified by its dark front tarsi (feet), very small square pterostigma (a dark mark near the middle of the leading edge of the wing) and black facial stripe. It is very similar in size and appearance to the Dwarf Drone Fly E. arbustorum, which does not have a facial stripe and has a bigger pterostigma. E. interruptus engages in 'mating stacks', where one or more males fly above a female, guarding her (whereas E. arbustorum does not do this). The orange marking on abdominal tergite 2 does not reach the hind edge and the black goes all the way from one side to the other (in E. arbustorum the orange does reach the hind edge and the black does not go all the way across).

This species is found in open habitats such as meadows and wasteland. Larvae have been found in farmyard drains and similar places. The adults are active from April to September, with highest numbers in July and August.

Male, on Wild Carrot Daucus carrota, in our orchard, August. Note the dark front feet, the dark stripe down the centre of the face and the barely visible square pterostigma.

Male, on Wild Carrot Daucus carrota, in our orchard, August. Note the way the black on abdominal tergite 2 extends the whole way across, under the orange markings.

Tapered Drone Fly E. pertinax: Large for a drone fly. Both sexes have long tapering abdomens, especially the males. The front and mid feet are pale (all other species have dark feet). The hind tibia are pale at the knees and dark by the feet. Very like E. tenax, which is more broad and cylindrical, with dark feet and tibia. There is a variable orange triangle either side of tergite 2 (second abdominal segment).
Spring specimens are noticeably hairier and darker, due to the colder temperatures they have experienced when pupae (this is a common phenomena amongst flies).

Common and widely distributed, often one of the most abundant hover flies. Larvae can be found in farmyard drains and other organically rich very wet places. Adults begin emerging early in the year, in March, and can be seen until November (numbers peak in May and August). Males hold small aerial territories in woodland rides and can be seen hovering a few metres above ground defending their patch.

A female Tapered Drone Fly nectaring on Ivy Hedera helix flowers, joined by a Marmalade Hover Fly Episyrphus balteatus.

Glass-winged Syrphus Hover Fly - Syrphus vitripennis

To identify flies to family level use a simple wing venation key such as A Key to the Families of British Diptera, an AIDGAP by D. Unwin, published by the FSC and available as a free download (scroll down to the titles list) or a more detailed key which includes many physical characters such as The European Families of the Diptera by P. Oosterbroek. The expert dipterists on the DipteraInfo forum are also very happy to identify, often to species level, from good photographs.

Scientific Name: Syrphus vitripennis (Syrphidae Syrphini).


English Name: Glass-winged Syrphus; Lesser Banded Hover Fly (Hover fly family, Syrphini tribe).


French Name: 

5 Key Characters:

• scutellum (the small semi-circular part between the thorax and the abdomen) tawny yellowish.
• strong yellow 'moustache' bands on the abdomen.
• eyes hairless.
• hind femur (thigh) is black for most of its length from the base (females only).
• rather small for a Syrphus.
  

Lookalikes: Often mistaken for other Syrphus spp or Eupeodes spp (eg Migrant Hover Fly E. corollae). Could also be mistaken for Eriozona erratica or Parasyrphus spp. To separate Syrphus from other genera it is necessary to stretch out the wing and check for hairs along the edge of the squama (part of the wing which forms a sort of flap at the base). Syrphus have this fringe of hairs, other genera do not. They are visible using a loupe, but you need to get the angle and light just right. An easier way to distinguish Syrphus is to check underneath the abdomen (the sternites). Syrphus is yellow, and if there are black spots they are in the middle and do not reach the edges (other genera are extensively black underneath). Syrphus is slightly bigger than Parasyrphus or Eupeodes. The hind tibia on Syrphus is always at least partly yellow (other genera are often all black).

It is very easy to mistake this species for the other very similar bare eyed Common Banded Hover Fly S. ribesii or S. rectus. Females can be distinguished because S. vitripennis has black on the hind femur, the other two have entirely yellow hind femora. Males need to be checked for the presence of black hairs in the yellow part of the hind femur. S. vitripennis does not have the black hairs, but they can be very difficult to see, requiring just the right light and angle. In common with many flies, males and females can be distinguished by whether the eyes touch (males) or are divided (females).

Habitat: Found in most habitats. The larvae predate aphids and overwinter in leaf litter beneath aphid infested trees, especially sycamores.


Flight Period: March-April-May-June-July-August-September-October-November.


Status: Common and widespread.


Photographed by Loire Valley Nature:

Migrant Hoverfly - Eupeodes corollae

To identify flies to family level use a simple wing venation key such as A Key to the Families of British Diptera, an AIDGAP by D. Unwin, published by the FSC and available as a free download (scroll down to the titles list) or a more detailed key which includes many physical characters such as The European Families of the Diptera by P. Oosterbroek. The expert dipterists on the DipteraInfo forum are also very happy to identify, often to species level, from good photographs.

The Migrant Hoverfly Eupeodes corollae is a typical black and yellow hoverfly. Males and females have different shaped yellow spots - males are rather square and sometimes joined, females are crescent shaped. The side edges of the abdomen are mostly yellow.

A mating pair in our garden, April.

The adults are 5 - 8 mm long and are on the wing between March and November. Numbers peak in July and August. They are found on flowers on the margins of arable land, meadows, road verges, hedgerows, heaths, gardens and waste ground in both rural and urban settings. One of the commonest hoverflies of open habitats, and abundant in some years.

For full details of how to identify this species, go to British Hoverflies by Stubbs and Falk or the Diptera.info forum.

Xanthogramma citrofasciatum

To identify flies to family level use a simple wing venation key such as A Key to the Families of British Diptera, an AIDGAP by D. Unwin, published by the FSC and available as a free download (scroll down to the titles list) or a more detailed key which includes many physical characters such as The European Families of the Diptera by P. Oosterbroek. The expert dipterists on the DipteraInfo forum are also very happy to identify, often to species level, from good photographs.

Scientific Name: Xanthogramma citrofasciatum.

English Name: None. A hoverfly Syrphidae.

French Name: Une syrphe, sans nom commun.

5 Key Characters:

• strong lemon yellow stripes down the sides of the thorax.
• long narrow lemon yellow wedge shaped triangles on the second abdominal segment.
• wings faintly enfuscated (as if they are tinged with brown).
• entirely orange legs.
• medium sized (11 - 15 mm long).

Lookalikes: The rumour in taxonomic circles is that X. citrofasciatum is likely to actually be a species complex of two separate species, but until such time as this is announced officially, the only confusion should be with the X. pedissequum group. X. pedissequum was also until recently thought to be a single species, but it is now known to be three - X. pedissequum, X. dives and X. stackelbergi. These three species all have broader yellow triangles on abdominal segment 2, clearly dark hind legs from just above the 'knee' down and more darkly shadowed wings. By far the easiest of these characters to judge in the field and from photos is the leg colour. The X. pedissequum group is more abundant than X. citrofasciatum, but still not common.

Habitat: Grasslands with many Lasius spp nest mounds (especially Yellow Meadow Ant L. flavus), such as meadows, large gardens, pasture and woodland rides, especially if well drained, dry and on chalk or limestone. The hoverfly larvae seem to live in the ant nests, feeding on the root aphids that the ants 'milk' for honeydew.

Flight Period: April-May-June-July-August-September.

Status: Scarce. We see maybe one or two a year near Preuilly-sur-Claise. A lowland species.

Photographed by Loire Valley Nature:

Dark-edged Beefly - Bombylius major

To identify flies to family level use a simple wing venation key such as A Key to the Families of British Diptera, an AIDGAP by D. Unwin, published by the FSC and available as a free download (scroll down to the titles list) or a more detailed key which includes many physical characters such as The European Families of the Diptera by P. Oosterbroek. The expert dipterists on the DipteraInfo forum are also very happy to identify, often to species level, from good photographs.

Scientific Name: Bombylius major

English Name: Dark-edged Beefly

French Name: Le Grand bombyle

5 Key Characters:

• a brown furry bee lookalike.
• long rigid proboscis which can't be retracted.
• makes a clearly audible high pitched whining buzz when hovering or flying.
• dark brown patch along leading edge of wings (not visible when flying).
• very variable in size, from small to moderately large (6 - 12.5 mm body length).

Lookalikes: Other Bombylius and Villa spp of beefly, which do not have the large dark patch on the wings; Hemipenthes spp, Thyridanthrax spp and Anthrax spp, also beeflies with dark wing patches, but which are much more velvety black in appearance. B. major is by far the commonest early spring beefly, so if you are seeing a beefly in March or April it is likely to be this species.

Habitat: Gardens, woodland rides and edges, sunny sheltered places, especially where solitary bees are nesting nearby (B. major is a parasite of Andrena spp mining bees). Visits a very wide range of spring flowers, including primrose, lesser celandine, wood anemone, blackthorn and other Prunus spp, wild cherry, ground ivy, violets, bugle, and sallow. They are particularly partial to blue flowers such as Narrow-leaved Lungwort Pulmonaria longifolia and in the garden Honesty is a great attraction for them.

Flight Period: March-April-May-June.

Status: Common and abundant.

Photographed by Loire Valley Nature:
Photographs numbered from left to right and top to bottom. 1-3 a female, resting on a Columbine Aquilegia vulgaris near Chaumussay in April.