Wildlife Review 2024: Hoverflies

An average year, with two new species for the Recording Area amongst the fifty-seven seen. Three more species noted than in 2023, although there was a noticeable decrease in numbers with fewer to be found nectaring on umbellifers and other flowers.

Gossamer Hoverfly Baccha elongata, a delicate species of woodland shade, was noted on 19th April and again in early autumn. Spring generation Dumpy Melanostoma M. mellinum and Slender Melanostoma M. scalare were on the wing in early March, but fluctuated thereafter until the autumn, when migration boosted numbers.

Gossamer Hoverfly Baccha elongata - Alan Keatley

A mixed year for Platycheirus, although as usual Grey-spotted Boxer Platycheirus albimanus was the commonest from mid-March. Appearing later, from 19th April, Many-tufted Boxer P. scutatus, with the distinctive but less common Twin-spot Boxer P. rosarum noted on 12th August. The second site record of Migrant Flat-belly Xanthandrus comtus was a good find on 28th May.

Grey-spotted Boxer Platycheirus albimanus 3rd August - Alan Keatley

Hook-banded Wasp Hoverfly Chrysotoxum festivum was found from 21st May, with a Two-banded Wasp Hoverfly C. bicinctum on 3rd June and another wasp mimic, the Superb Anthill Hoverfly Xanthogramma pedissequum from 11th May. Normally a frequent migrant species, fewer Common Twist-tail Sphaerophoria scripta were noted this year with the first on 27th June. Almost hidden amongst them was a new species, a Broad-banded Globetail S. taeniata found on 3rd August. A Broad-barred Fleckwing Dasysyrphus venustus was noted on 14th May, with a few migrant White-clubbed Hoverfly Scaeva pyrastri appearing from 29th June.

Two-banded Wasp Hoverfly Chrysotoxum bicinctum 3rd June - Alan Keatley

One of the first hoverflies of the year, Common Spotted Field Syrph Eupeodes luniger was on the wing from 24th February. Appearing later Migrant Field Syrph E. corollae showed from 30th May with a Meadow Field Syrph E. latifasciatus on 4th September. Only the second site record, a Matt-backed Melangyna M. labiatarum was found on August 11th. Relatively common on site and with a long flight period, Spotted Meliscaeva M. auricollis were frequent from 11th January. Normally found in good numbers there were notably fewer Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus, the first was on 2nd January.

Dark-backed Epistrophe E. nitidicollis 15th May - Alan Keatley

Spring Epistrophe E. eligans were noted from 13th April, with a Dark-backed Epistrophe E. nitidicollis on 15th May, the second new species for the site. A Broad-banded Epistrophe E. grossulariae was noted on 9th September. Syrphus hoverflies were scarce early in the year, however numbers did pick up in the summer and autumn. The first was Hairy-eyed Syrphus S. torvus on 3rd April, Humming Syrphus S. ribesii from 11th May and Glass-winged Syrphus S. vitripennis from June 27th. A Pale-knobbed Lucent Didea fasciata on 12th September was the year’s only record.

Pale-knobbed Lucent Didea fasciata 12th September - Kevin Rylands

Cheilosia is a large hoverfly genus and frequent flower visitors, however all species were down this year. The first was Parsley Blacklet Cheilosia pagana on 4th April, followed by Burdock Blacklet C. impressa on 11th May, Bumblebee Blacklet C. illustrata from 30th May and Buttercup Blacklet C. albitarsis on 3rd June. Bolete Blacklet C. scutellata were invariably found on umbellifers from 27th June, joined by Dull-bellied Blacklet C. proxima on 27th July, Ragwort Blacklet C. bergenstammi on 15th August and Yarrow Cheilosia C. vernalis on 14th September. Scarce on site, a Common Snout Hoverfly Rhingia campestris was noted on 29th April.

Bumblebee Blacklet Cheilosia illustrata 30th May - Alan Keatley

Smudge-veined Clubtail Neoascia podagrica frequented Alexanders flowers from 16th April with Dark-winged Chrysogaster C. solstitialis, although fewer this year, found on umbellifers from 20th May. Scarce on site, a Striped-backed Glimmer Riponnensia splendens was noted on 9th July.

Tapered Dronefly Eristalis pertinax 19th February - Alan Keatley

The droneflies (Eristalis) are the commonest hoverflies and can be seen throughout the year. The earliest was Common Dronefly Eristalis tenax on 3rd January with Tapered Dronefly E. pertinax from 15th February. An early Stripe-winged Dronefly E. horticola was on the wing on 12th March and numerous Stripe-faced Dronefly E. nemorum from 16th April. The first Fluffy Dronefly E. intricaria, a bumblebee mimic, was found on 24th August. A few Small Spot-eye Eristalinus sepulchralis were noted, often on Ragwort from 21st May. Distinctive Batman Hoverfly Myathropa florea were in sunny sheltered areas from 16th April. 

Three tiger hoverfly species were on the wing with Marsh Tiger Hoverfly Helophilus hybridus from 13th April, Tiger Hoverfly H. pendulus from 18th April and Large Tiger Hoverfly H. trivittatus from 1st June. The spring flying Narcissus Fly Merodon equestris was on the wing from 20th May with a Pipizella vidulata, a small black hoverfly noted on 8th June.

Small Spot-eye Eristalinus sepulchralis 3rd September - Alan Keatley

A very disappointing year for plumehorn hoverfles (Volucella) with only Large Pied Plumehorn Volucella pellucens regularly noted with the first on 11th May. A Bumblebee Plumehorn V. bombylans on 25th May was one of few records this year. Hornet Plumehorn V. zonaria from 17th July and Wasp Plumehorn V. inanis from 4th September, numbers were down in line with their respective hosts. Just the one Orange-belted Hoverfly Xylota segnis was noted on 23rd April with the frequent migrant Compost Hoverfly Syritta pipiens from 5th August.

Wasp Plumehorn Volucella inanis 4th September - Alan Keatley