| Cheilosia variabilis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Male of Cheilosia variabilis. Dorsal view | |
 | |
| Side view. Face showing projecting hairs on the sides | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Syrphidae |
| Genus: | Cheilosia |
| Species: | C. variabilis |
| Binomial name | |
| Cheilosia variabilis (Panzer, 1798) | |
| Synonyms | |
Cheilosia variabilis, common name figwort cheilosia, is a species of hoverfly belonging to the family Syrphidae. [1]
This species is native to the Palearctic realm, present in most of Europe eastwards to western Siberia, in the Near East, and in North Africa. [2] [3]
These hoverflies inhabit deciduous forest, from the Fagus, Picea zone to alluvial hardwood forest, tracksides and edges of clearings. [4]
For terms see Morphology of Diptera
Cheilosia variabilis can reach a body length of 10–25 millimetres (0.39–0.98 in) and a wing length of 9–12 mm. Like most Cheilosia this large species is blackish, and because of this colour it may often be overlooked as a hoverfly. Face has outstanding hairs on the sides and a conspicuous central knob. Antennae are black or dark brown and hairs of arista are longer than diameter of basal part. Thorax is black-haired. Abdomen is rather elongate and tergites are pale yellow-haired. Wings are greyish and disproportionately long. Legs are entirely black. In males halteres are pale brown. [5] [6] [7] [8] The larva is figured by Dusek (1962). [9]
This species is rather similar to Cheilosia lasiopa , Cheilosia vulpina and Cheilosia griseiventris .
Adult hoverflies can be found from April to September in two generations per year, as this species is bivoltine. They visit flowers of white umbellifers, Aegopodium podagraria , Alliaria petiolata , Anthriscus sylvestris , Apiaceae, Aurinia saxatilis , Conium maculatum , Crataegus laevigata , Euphorbia cyparissias , Meum athamanticum , Potentilla reptans , Ranunculus repens , Salix spec., Sambucus nigra , Caltha, Cirsium, Galium, Scrophularia, Sorbus aucuparia . [10]
The larvae are miners in the rhizomes of the common figwort ( Scrophularia nodosa ) (hence the common name) and in the stalks of the water figwort ( Scrophularia auriculata ). [11] [12]
Syrphus ribesii is a very common Holarctic species of hoverfly. Its larvae feed on aphids. In common with many other species of hoverfly, males have the eyes meeting on the top of the head, whilst females have their eyes widely separated.
Leucozona glaucia, the Pale-saddled Leucozona is a Palearctic hoverfly. Larvae feed on ground layer aphids. Adults are usually seen visiting flowers.
Eupeodes latifasciatus is a species of hoverfly. Adults feed on nectar; larvae feed on aphids and scale insects.
Dasysyrphus albostriatus is a Palearctic species of hoverfly.
Dasysyrphus venustus is a Holarctic species of hoverfly.
Leucozona lucorum is a Palearctic and Nearctic species of hoverfly.
Cheilosia pagana is a Holarctic species of hoverfly. Like most Cheilosia it is black, and because of this may often be overlooked as a hoverfly. One identifying feature is a large red to orange 3rd antennal segment.
Cheilosia vicina is a hoverfly species found in the Palearctic.
Syrphus torvus, the Hairy-eyed Flower Fly, is a common species of hoverfly found in the Holarctic. The adults feed on pollen and nectar, but the larvae feed on aphids.
Cheilosia grossa is a widespread European species of hoverfly. Adults can be found in spring on sallow catkins and the larvae tunnel in the stems of various thistle species.
Cheilosia albitarsis is an abundant European species of hoverfly. Adults can be found in spring visiting buttercup flowers and this plant is also the larval hostplant.
Cheilosia bergenstammi is a widespread European species of hoverfly. Adults can be found in summer visiting ragwort flowers and this plant is also the larval hostplant.
Cheilosia latifrons is a species of 'flower flies' or hoverflies belonging to the family Syrphidae subfamily Eristalinae.
Cheilosia nebulosa is a Palearctic species of hoverfly.
Epistrophe nitidicollis is a European and North American species of hoverfly.
Cheilosia impressa is a Palearctic species of hoverfly. Like most members of its genus C. impressa is a rather small, dark insect and identification can be problematic.
Cheilosia antiqua is a European species of hoverfly.
Cheilosia velutina is a Palearctic hoverfly.
Cheilosia lasiopa is a Palearctic hoverfly. This species was previously misidentified as Cheilosia honesta.
Cheilosia vulpina is a Palearctic hoverfly.
 | This hoverfly article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |