Neottiophilum praeustum - Neottiophilum praeustum
Species
Description
This is a shining orange fly with a spinose costa. It is about 9 mm long. The wings are marked with dark 'shades' particularly at the wing tip.
Habitat
Various habitats in search of suitable birds' nests for their larva.
When to see it
May and June.
Life History
This distinctive fly is sometimes called the Nest Skipper Fly. The larvae are parasites of birds, sucking the blood of nestlings. It has been found in nests of House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) as well as other species including various finches.
UK Status
Very few British records have been entered, mostly from southern England.
VC55 Status
Uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland
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David Nicholls
Ratby garden1 - 11 May 2008 -
Ron.stevens
Broughton Astley - 04 May 2011
Leicestershire & Rutland Map
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UK Map
On the Leicestershire & Rutland map above, red = NatureSpot records, green = NBN records. You can add a dot to this map if you submit a wildlife sighting (with or without an image). You can also find out more about these species distribution maps on our Maps help page.
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