Rebecca Nason Photography

Show Navigation

Steven Falks: “A large, long-winged relative of Melanostoma, with very distinctive abdominal markings in both sexes (which are patterned rather differently to one-another as in Melanostoma). This is a strongly migratory species that may be starting to overwinter in Britain judging by some recent spring records, but with the British population clearly reinforced by immigration. The adults are most typically encountered at woodland edge and in scrubby habitats. The larvae are predators of semi-gregarious micro-moths on shrubs and certain herbs.”

Add to Lightbox

Filename: Xanthandrus comtus_Shetland_0958.jpg
Copyright: Rebecca Nason
Image Size: 3999x2666 / 6.7MB; Xanthandrus comtus hoverfly diptera fly true fly syrphidae shetland july august uncommon female insect
Contained in galleries: SHETLAND INSECTS

Steven Falks: “A large, long-winged relative of Melanostoma, with very distinctive abdominal markings in both sexes (which are patterned rather differently to one-another as in Melanostoma). This is a strongly migratory species that may be starting to overwinter in Britain judging by some recent spring records, but with the British population clearly reinforced by immigration. The adults are most typically encountered at woodland edge and in scrubby habitats. The larvae are predators of semi-gregarious micro-moths on shrubs and certain herbs.”