Tapered Drone Fly - Eristalis pertinax

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Description

Whilst similar to E. tenax, this species has a more tapering abdomen in the male and it also has pale front legs. The pair of orange markings on tergite 2 of the abdomen are nearly always present, but tend to be brighter in summer specimens.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Hedgerows and woodland rides.

When to see it

Found between March and November, with peaks in May and August.

Life History

Thought to have several broods.

UK Status

It is common and widespread throughout Britain.

VC55 Status

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland.

  • David Nicholls
    Watermead Country Park
    16 August 2004
    male
  • David Nicholls
    Stanton, Cliffe Hill
    19 August 2021
    female
  • Paul Ruddoch
    Rhubarb Island
    23 May 2015
    pale front tarsi
  • David Nicholls
    Ulverscroft NR
    12 July 2008
    male
  • Barbara Cooper
    Long Clawson
    10 June 2013
    female
  • Graham Calow
    Foot of Croft Hill
    30 September 2014
    anterior tarsi are yellow
  • Simon Bennett
    Knighton garden
    27 March 2020

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species data profile ?

Species profile

Species group:
Hoverflies
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Diptera
Family:
Syrphidae
Records on NatureSpot:
581
First record:
11/05/1992 (John Mousley)
Last record:
04/05/2024 (Pugh, Dylan)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.

In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.

Latest images

Latest records

  • Jonesboy1
    broughton astley
    12 September 2016
  • thebeesknees
    Leicester Garden
    22 July 2014
    Eristalis pertinax
  • Graham Calow
    Foot of Croft Hill
    30 September 2014
    anterior tarsi are yellow
  • Graham Calow
    Foot of Croft Hill
    30 September 2014
    anterior tarsi are yellow
  • Graham Calow
    Burbage Common and Woods
    07 June 2014
  • David Nicholls
    Watermead Country Park
    06 September 2012
    pale front feet (tarsi)
  • David Nicholls
    Martinshaw Wood
    29 June 2007
    male
  • David Nicholls
    20 Acre Piece NR
    28 May 2010
    female
  • HAPeacock
    Leicester Garden
    01 April 2012
  • David Nicholls
    Groby Pool
    18 June 2004
    male
  • David Nicholls
    Wirlybones Wood, Ratby
    10 June 2011
  • Barbara Cooper
    Clawson Hill
    08 July 2012
  • HAPeacock
    Leicester Garden
    08 August 2012
  • David Nicholls
    New Lount
    14 June 2012
    female
  • David Nicholls
    Wirlybones Wood
    18 August 2012
  • HAPeacock
    River Soar - St Marys Mill
    19 August 2012
  • David Nicholls
    Martinshaw Wood
    05 July 2012
  • David Nicholls
    Watermead Country Park
    20 April 2007
    male