Species: Long Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta)
Family: Hoverflies (SYRPHIDAE)
Category: Insects (Other)
Location: Widespread
A. Insects (Other)
More extensive information on insects can be found in a separate blog post.
B. Hoverflies (SYRPHIDAE)
True to their name, the hoverflies hover around flowers, and then alight to feed on nectar and pollen. They are very important pollinators, and despite the fact that some look like wasps or bees, this is just mimicry and helps to keep potential predators at bay. Hoverflies have no sting, and have short, drooping antennae. The larvae are as useful as the adults, in that they feed on aphids.
We have a photograph-filled blog post about all the hoverflies that we have seen in the Cemetery that may be worth your time.
C. Long Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta)
The Long Hoverfly is a small hoverfly with a body that is longer than its wings. Even so, it is rarely longer than a single centimetre. The arrangement of yellow and black bands down the length of its body makes it distinct from other hoverflies.
The larvae of the Long Hoverfly feed on aphids. Adults feed on nectar and pollen.
This hoverfly is believed to be prone to mass immigration from Europe, together with regular movement towards northern Britain. It is thought that many migrate south at the end of summer.
Images
Sphaerophoria scripta (Long Hoverfly)
This hoverfly is believed to be prone to mass immigration from Europe, together with regular movement towards northern Britain. It is thought that many migrate south at the end of summer.
Sphaerophoria scripta (Long Hoverfly)
The Long Hoverfly is a small hoverfly with a body that is longer than its wings. Even so, its length is typically between 5 and 7 millimetres.
Sphaerophoria scripta (Long Hoverfly)
The yellow and black of the Long Hoverfly is deceptive. It does not sting!
Sphaerophoria scripta (Long Hoverfly)
The arrangement of yellow and black bands down the length of the Long Hoverfly's body makes it distinct from other hoverflies. This individual is a female.
Sphaerophoria scripta (Long Hoverfly)
The Long Hoverfly is a small hoverfly with a body that is longer than its wings, but rarely more than 7 millimetres in length.
Sphaerophoria scripta (Long Hoverfly)
The larvae of the Long Hoverfly feed on aphids. Adults feed on nectar and pollen.
Sphaerophoria scripta (Long Hoverfly)
This graceful insect has slightly variable colouring, most notably in the yellow stripe on the side of its thorax, just above the wings. This is usually a long yellow stripe, running the full length of the thorax, but here the rear portion of this stripe remains only faintly yellow, appearing mostly black. It is, however Sphaerophoria scripta, the Long Hoverfly.
