Pipiza austriaca
Pipiza austriaca is a species of hoverfly, from the family Syrphidae, in the order Diptera.
Description
For terms see Morphology of DipteraWing length 6–8 mm. Hind femora strongly thickened, with a large ventral ridge. Wing with darkened cloud. Thorax and abdomen pale-haired. The larva is described and figured by Goeldlin See references for determination.
Distribution
Palearctic Atlantic Europe. All Europe if older determinations are correct.Biology
Habitat:Quercus woodland clearings thickets of Rubus fruticosus along hedges, field-margins with a tall herb layer Atlantic scrub along hedges, field-margins with tall herb vegetation.Flowers visited include umbellifers, Euphorbia, Ranunculus.
Flies mid-June to end August. Pipiza larvae are predators of gall forming aphids.