Syrphus ribesii - Syrphus ribesii
Species
Description
A common hoverfly with yellow 'moustache' bands on a black abdomen. The female has an all-yellow hind femur
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Similar Species
This species is almost identical to Syrphus vitripennis (Lesser Banded Hoverfly) except the female's hind femur (top part of leg) is yellow rather than black. Both sexes of S. ribesii have the basal cells of the wings covered in microtrichia (tiny hairs) which are lacking in S. vitripennis.
Photo ID?
Habitat
Found in gardens, hedgerows, waste ground and many other habitats.
When to see it
It can be found from March to November with peaks in late May/early June and again in July to September.
Life History
Males often create a 'hum' by vibrating their wings when resting and this sound is often a familiar background noise in woodland during the summer. It is multiple brooded.
UK Status
Very common throughout Britain.
VC55 Status
Very common in Leicestershire and Rutland.
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HAPeacock
River Soar - St Marys Mill - 14 June 2012
Egg-laying -
HAPeacock
River Soar - St Marys Mill - 14 June 2012
Syrphus ribesii eggs
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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Additional Images
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David Nicholls
Highway Spinney - 05 May 2011 -
HAPeacock
Goss Meadows - 13 May 2012 -
HAPeacock
River Soar - St Marys Mill - 14 June 2012
Post egg-laying -
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Graham Calow
Sapcote - 03 May 2009
male -
