Brachyopa scutellaris


Brachyopa scutellaris is a European species of hoverfly.

Description

For terms see Morphology of Diptera
The wing length is 6·5-7·75 mm. Apical antennomere with a large kidney-shaped sensory pit
Tergite 2 posterolaterally black pilose. The larva is illustrated by Rotheray.

Distribution

Brachyopa scutellaris is a west Palearctic species with a distribution centred in Europe.

Habitat and biology

The habitat is deciduous forest. The flight period is mid April to end June. Brachyopa scutellaris flies, pendulously, in sunlit patches beside living trees with sap runs and around rot-holes. Flowers visited include white umbellifers, Cardamine, Crataegus, Malus, Cornus, Photinia, Rubus fruticosus, Sorbus and Viburnum.