Sunday 18 August 2019

Syrphus ribesii

The Common Banded Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii), also known as The Summer Fly, is around from March to November, during which time it passes through several generations.  There ae over 270 species of hoverfly in Britain and this one is one of the easiest to identify with its waspy jacket - but that's only for disguise; it doesn't sting.

The adults do a lot of hovering and feed on nectar 
especially from umbellifer flowers like this Hogweed.  

The larvae feed on aphids and are thus the gardener's friends, 
although rather less attractive than their parents.
Here's one with a doomed aphid nearby.

Photo from flickr


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