Cheilosia impressa

Cheilosia impressa is a Palearctic species of hoverfly. Like most members of its genus C. impressa is a rather small, dark insect and identification can be problematic.

Description

For terms see Morphology of Diptera
Wing length 5·75–8 mm.
A broadly built species. Thorax coarsely punctate, shining, undusted. Legs black Wing base yellow. Coxa 1 with a hornlike projection at the base of the outer side. Facial knob rounded. Part of the impressa species group. The larva is figured by Schmid

Distribution

Present in most of Europe and in the eastern Palearctic realm. East to Siberia.

Biology

Habitat: Deciduous forest, wetland, open areas in deciduous forest, montane, unimproved grassland, grassland up to above 2,000m in the alpine zone, fen. Flowers visited include white Umbelliferae, Compositae. Cirsium, Euphorbia, Filipendula, Geranium, Mentha, Prunus, Ranunculus, Rubus. Flight period is May to July and August to September.