Epistrophe eligans

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Description

This species can be quite variable in the extent of the yellow striping on its abdomen, some specimens, particularly males, being nearly all black; however the overall pattern is usually similar.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Hot, sunny woodland edges and hedgerows, favouring Blackthorn and Hawthorn.

When to see it

Mainly a Spring species with most observations between April and June, peaking in May.

UK Status

It is widespread throughout most of Britain though more scarce in the north.

VC55 Status

Very common in Leicestershire and Rutland.

  • David Nicholls
    Aylestone Meadows
    27 April 2007
    male
  • Graham Calow
    Sapcote
    03 May 2009
    female
  • David Nicholls
    Aylestone Meadows
    27 April 2007
    female
  • David Nicholls
    Prestwold Natural Burial Ground
    08 May 2008
    male
  • Paul Ruddoch
    Melton Country Park
    19 May 2016
    male
  • Jim Hayes
    Enderby garden
    05 June 2020
    larva
  • David Nicholls
    Ratby garden
    19 April 2022

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:
257
First record:
11/05/1992 (John Mousley)
Last record:
17/05/2024 (Catherine Horrell)

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

  • HAPeacock
    Gilroes Cemetery Extension
    24 April 2012
  • David Nicholls
    Abbey Park, Leicester
    20 May 2011
    male
  • David Nicholls
    Watermead Country Park
    07 April 2011
    female
  • David Nicholls
    Croft Hill
    12 May 2011
  • HAPeacock
    Leicester Garden
    07 May 2012
  • David Nicholls
    20 Acre Piece NR
    28 May 2010
  • HAPeacock
    Gilroes Cemetery Extension
    24 April 2012
  • HAPeacock
    Leicester Garden
    07 May 2012
  • Jonesboy1
    broughton astley
    23 April 2017
  • Mike Higgott
    County Hall
    19 April 2017
    male
  • Annie Smith
    Clarendon Park garden
    30 April 2018
  • Mike Higgott
    Anstey garden
    22 April 2017
  • David Nicholls
    New Lount Nature Reserve
    13 May 2016
  • Paul Ruddoch
    Melton Country Park
    27 May 2016
  • Jim Hayes
    Enderby garden
    05 June 2020
  • Peter Smith
    Cropston garden
    26 May 2019
  • Peter Smith
    Cropston garden
    26 May 2019
  • Jim Hayes
    Enderby garden
    05 June 2020