Myolepta dubia

Alternative names
Wood-vase Hoverfly
Description

A medium-sized, black and orange hoverfly with yellow wing-bases. 

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required. If the photo doesn't show the key ID features then in the comments box describe the size and identifying characters you have observed.

Habitat

It is usually found in older woods and other places with old trees, though not always in the high quality locations that one might expect for a scarce saproxylic insect.

When to see it

May to August, peaking in June and July.

Life History

The larvae develop in water-filled rot holes of various broadleaved trees and adults can sometimes be seen investigating such features. Adults visit the flowers of umbellifers, Dogwood and brambles.

UK Status

Recorded widely but sparingly in southern Britain north to East Anglia and the Midlands, though possibly expanding northwards. Graded Nationally Scarce by Ball & Morris (2014, JNCC Species Status No. 9)

VC55 Status

Rarely recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland which is on the northern edge of its range at present.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Species group:
insect - true fly (Diptera)
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Diptera
Family:
Syrphidae
Records on NatureSpot:
2
First record:
23/06/2020 (Gaten, Ted)
Last record:
26/06/2020 (Nightingale, Kate)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.

In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.

Latest images

Latest records