Myolepta potens

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Myolepta potens
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Syrphidae
Genus: Myolepta
Species:
M. potens
Binomial name
Myolepta potens
Harris, 1776
Synonyms

Myolepta potens is a European hoverfly.

The species ranges from France and Germany through central Europe to the Black Sea. It is rare throughout its range and is listed in the Red Data Books of a number of its range states. It is listed by the Council of Europe as a Saproxylic (deadwood-dependent) Indicator species, because its presence indicates that a large quantity of standing deadwood is also present.

The species was discovered in Britain in 1945 by John Cowley at Loxley Wood and another woodland site near Shapwick in Somerset and identified by J. E. Collin. Cowley found more specimens in the same area in 1946, 1947 and 1949. Subsequently, fellow dipterist E. C. M. d'Assis-Fonseca found a single male in Blaise Wood near Bristol in 1949, and in 1950 E. E. Lowe found the species at Combe Dingle, which is close to the Blaise Castle Estate within which Blaise Wood lies. J. C. Hartley found six larvae in a rot-hole at Ashton Court, Bristol in 1961, thus providing proof of the species' breeding in Britain. Despite attempts to relocate the species in its Bristol and Somerset sites in the 1980s and 1990s, it has not been refound (Loxley Wood is largely coniferised and therefore no longer suitable for supporting the species).

In the Institute for Terrestrial Ecology's Provisional hoverfly atlas published in 2000, the species was listed as extinct. During an English Nature-commissioned survey of Moccas Park National Nature Reserve in Herefordshire, Andy Godfrey found Myolepta potens larvae in a rot-hole. Subsequent survey work revealed that there is a strong population at this site using rot holes in several different species of tree.

Two English names have been coined for this species, although neither has gained widespread usage: the Western wood-vase hoverfly [2] and the Moccas hoverfly [3]

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<i>Spilomyia liturata</i> Species of fly

Spilomyia liturata, the Rocky Mountain Hornet Fly, is an uncommon species of syrphid fly. This species is found in western North America along the Rocky Mountains. Hoverflies get their names from the ability to remain nearly motionless while in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found around and on flowers, from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. The larvae are known as the short-tailed larvae, suited for moist areas such as rot holes of trees.

<i>Callicera spinolae</i> Species of fly

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References

  1. Stubbs, Alan E. & Falk, Steven J. (1983). British Hoverflies: An Illustrated Identification Guide (2nd (revised) ed.). British Entomological & Natural History Society. p. 253, xvpp. ISBN   0-9502891-3-2.
  2. "Ancient- tree hoverfly rediscovered in the UK after more than 50 years". Ancient Tree Forum. Woodland Trust. 29 April 2002. Archived from the original on 7 December 2007. Retrieved 25 Nov 2008.
  3. "Reprieve for 'extinct' Hoverfly" (PDF). English Nature. Retrieved 25 Nov 2008.