Scaeva selenitica

Scaeva selenitica
Scaeva selenitica, male
Female
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Diptera
Family:
Syrphidae
Genus:
Scaeva
Species:
S. selenitica
Binomial name
Scaeva selenitica
(Meigen, 1822)
Synonyms
  • Syrphus seleniticus Meigen, 1822

Scaeva selenitica is a species of hoverfly.[1]

Description

Scaeva selenitica can reach a length of 12–15 millimetres (0.47–0.59 in), with a wing length of 10.5–12 millimetres (0.41–0.47 in). These large distinctive hoverflies have sparse, fine light hair. Thorax is shiny black, scutellum is yellowish-green and the abdomen is dark black, The legs are light brown-yellow in the middle, while femurs and feet are darker. The abdomen shows three pairs of yellow comma markings (lunules). This species is similar to Scaeva pyrastri but differs in that the abdomen markings are larger and yellow, while in Scaeva pyrastri they are white.[2]

Biology

Adults are common visitors to flowers. They mainly feed on nectar and pollen of various Asteraceae, on Crataegus species, Heracleum sphondylium, Rumex acetosa, Rumex obtusifolius, Stellaria holostea, Salix caprea and Salix cinerea. The larvae feed on aphids.[2][3]

Distribution and habitat

This species is present in most of Europe, in the East Palearctic ecozone, in the Near East and in North Africa.[4] These hoverflies can be found in meadows and in hedge rows.[2][5]

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References
  1. Stubbs, Alan E. & Falk, Steven J. (1983). British Hoverflies: An Illustrated Identification Guide. British Entomological & Natural History Society. pp. 253, xvpp.
  2. Commanster
  3. Speight, M.C.D. (2011). "Species accounts of European Syrphidae (Diptera)" (PDF). Syrph the Net, the database of European Syrphidae. 65: 285pp.
  4. Catalogue of life
  5. Fauna europaea


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