Day 359 - Decidedly Awesome - Dasysyrphus albostriatus

Dasysyrphus albostriatus

Hey everyone, today's Day 359 and as it's been so warm this Autumn over here in the UK it means I've been able to see lots of wildlife I hadn't expected to see so late on. Even last weekend, on the 1st of November I managed to spot a brand new Hoverfly that I haven't seen so far this year. We saw this at Ripon at a place called Quarry Moor Nature Reserve, a place we don't go very often but sometimes stop off at for an extra little walk. There was lots of Ivy in flower there which is where we saw this lovely Dasysyrphus albostriatus which I really hadn't expected to see this far into the year.

So, here are the facts:

• This Hoverfly likes habitats such as Gardens, Parks. Woodland Edges and Rides. 

• They occur on both deciduous and coniferous trees.

Feeding on the Ivy

• You'll find them throughout most of Britain and the UK but they are less common in the North of Scotland.

• You will see them in Spring but also, as with this one, there is a second generation in Summer into early Autumn.

• The adults as you can see in the pictures are brightly coloured and you will see them feeding on nectar from flowers when they are on the wing.

• The larvae are much harder to see, as they look like the bark of the branches of the trees on which they live.

• The larvae feed on aphids, but only at night. They rest near the colony by day using their camouflage to remain undetected.

Couldn't get a bugs eye view but glad I got this close up!

• This species of Hoverfly has hairy eyes which you might not be able to see as it was quite hard to get a bug's eye view.

• They have a wingspan of around 6 and a half to 9 millimetres. This is quite small for a Hoverfly.

Here are some links to some more information:

Hoverfly.org - Dasysyrphus albostriatus

The Lizard - Dasysyrphus albostriatus

Hope you enjoyed,

Z.