Epistrophe eligans

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.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

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

UK Map

Species profile

Species group:
Hoverflies
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Diptera
Family:
Syrphidae
Records on NatureSpot:
210
First record:
11/05/1992 (John Mousley)
Last record:
04/06/2023 (Higgott, Mike)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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