Pellucid Fly - Volucella pellucens
Description
Sometimes called the Pellucid Hoverfly, this is one of the largest flies in Britain. It has a striking ivory-white band across its middle and large dark spots on its wings.
Identification difficulty
Habitat
Well wooded hedgerows, woods and copses where it favours Bramble flowers and umbellifers.
When to see it
May to October peaking June and July.
Life History
Its larvae live in the nests of social wasps and bumblebees, eating waste products and the bee larvae.
UK Status
Common throughout Britain.
VC55 Status
Common in Leicestershire and Rutland.
Kate NightingaleCropston garden23 June 2015
David NichollsKetton Quarry13 June 2014
David NichollsUlverscroft NR20 June 2008male
David GouldThe Spearwort Fields25 June 2016
David NichollsUlverscroft NR12 July 2008
Leicestershire & Rutland Map
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MAP KEY:
Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ 2015-2019 pre 2015
UK Map
Mark SkevingtonWhetstone Garden01 September 2010
Barbara CooperClawson Hill14 June 2012
David NichollsUlverscroft NR20 June 2008
David NichollsMartinshaw Wood23 June 2007
Graham CalowBramble Walk, near Cosby01 June 2014
David GouldThe Spearwort Fields03 June 2017
Graham CalowSapcote18 June 2013
David NichollsMartinshaw Wood29 June 2007 Donkey Lane Sapcote SP 4852 9287 (taken 31.5.2009),.JPG)
Graham CalowSapcote31 May 2009
Graham CalowBroughton Astley24 June 2011 Donkey Lane Sapcote SP 4852 9287 (taken 31.5.2009).JPG)
Graham CalowSapcote31 May 2009male
David NichollsUlverscroft NR11 June 2010
David NichollsHill Hole Quarry02 June 2011
David NichollsNew Lount09 June 2011
David NichollsWirlybones Wood, Ratby10 June 2011
David NichollsRatby24 June 2012
HAPeacockThe Orchards22 July 2012
Lorraine EllisonWymeswold garden05 July 2008
Alan SemperHarby Nature Reserve08 July 2013
HAPeacockThe Orchards19 June 2012
LostashWhetstone GCR Footpath30 June 2013
Graham CalowBramble Walk, near Cosby01 June 2014
LostashLeicester Botanical Gardens08 June 2014
David GouldNarborough Bog01 July 2014
David NichollsKetton Quarry13 June 2014
brandyfoxLittleover Garden16 July 2014
egatenFosse Meadows23 July 2015
Kate NightingaleCropston garden16 June 2014
Ron.stevensUllesthorpe Stewardship Farm15 July 2016
 Donkey Lane Sapcote SP 4852 9287 (taken 31.5.2009),.JPG)
 Donkey Lane Sapcote SP 4852 9287 (taken 31.5.2009).JPG)
