Species: Pied Plumehorn (Volucella pellucens)
Family: Hoverflies (SYRPHIDAE)
Category: Insects (Other)
Location: SE
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. Pied Plumehorn (Volucella pellucens)
The Pied Plumehorn (sometimes called the Great Pied Hoverfly) is a large, squat member of the Volucella genus. Its distinctive white banding on the abdomen, contrasting with its otherwise black thorax and abdomen, mark this species out from others in the genus. It is a reasonably large insect, with a wingspan of between 10 and 15 millimetres.
This individual is widespread and abundant. It prefers sheltered woodland. Larvae live in the nests of social wasps, where they scavenge nest debris.
Images
Pied Plumehorn (Volucella pellucens)
The Pied Plumehorn is a reasonably large insect, with a wingspan of between 10 and 15 millimetres.
Pied Plumehorn (Volucella pellucens)
The Pied Plumehorn (sometimes called the Great Pied Hoverfly) is a large, squat member of the Volucella genus. Its distinctive white banding on the abdomen, contrasting with its otherwise black thorax and abdomen, mark this species out from others in the genus.
This individual is a female.
