''Chrysotoxum cautum'' is a species of Palearctic hoverfly of the genus Chrysotoxum. The larvae are thought to feed on root aphids. Adults are usually found on the edges of woodland or scrub or along hedgerows where they visit a wide range of flowers, usually in small numbers.

Identification

''C. Cautum'' has a wing length of 10–13mm. It has an orange stigma, apical antennomere as long as antennomeres 1 and 2 together, a relatively flat abdomen, exceptionally large genitalia, and they reach over the hind margin of sternite 4.

Biology

''C. cautum'' is a Palearctic species. It has been found in southern Great Britain, Britain, continental Europe and as far as the Altai Mountains and Mongolia. ''C. cautum'' can be found in deciduous forests and scrub, unimproved and lightly grazed grassland, open areas in forest or scrub on well-drained sites. The hoverfly visits flowers such as white umbellifers; yellow composites, ''Allium ursinum'', ''Caltha'', ''Cornus'', ''Crataegus'', ''Euphorbia'', ''Geranium'', ''Plantago'', ''Ranunculus'', ''Rhamnus catharticus'', ''Rubus'' and ''Sorbus aucuparia''.de Buck, N. (1990) Bloembezoek en bestuivingsecologie van Zweefvliegen (Diptera, Syrphidae) in het bijzonder voor België. ''Doc.Trav.'' IRSNB, no.60, 1-167. The species' flight period is between May and July (April in southern Europe).

Notes

References

External links

BiolibImages at boldsystems.org
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chrysotoxum Cautum Syrphinae Diptera of Europe Insects described in 1776 Taxa named by Moses Harris