''Platycheirus ambiguus'' is a small widespread
species
A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...
of
hoverfly
Hoverflies, also called flower flies or syrphids, make up the insect family Syrphidae. As their common name suggests, they are often seen hovering or nectaring at flowers; the adults of many species feed mainly on nectar and pollen, while the l ...
found across the
Palearctic
The Palearctic or Palaearctic is a biogeographic realm of the Earth, the largest of eight. Confined almost entirely to the Eastern Hemisphere, it stretches across Europe and Asia, north of the foothills of the Himalayas, and North Africa.
Th ...
from
Ireland
Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...
to
Japan
Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...
. A spring species found in flight in April and May, it visits spring-flowering trees and shrubs, e.g., ''
Prunus spinosa
''Prunus spinosa'', called blackthorn or sloe, is an Old World species of flowering plant in the rose family, Rosaceae. It is locally naturalized in parts of the New World.
The fruits are used to make sloe gin in Britain and patxaran in B ...
'' in deciduous woodland and scrub.
The species is similar to several other small hoverflies and can be problematic to identify.
The larvae feed on aphids in various trees and shrubs.
[ ]
Description
External imagesFor terms, see:
Morphology of Diptera
Dipteran morphology differs in some significant ways from the broader insect morphology, morphology of insects. The Diptera is a very large and diverse Order (biology), order of mostly small to medium-sized insects. They have prominent compound ey ...
.
Haltere knob is grey brown. Frons have heavy silver-grey dusting. Tergites are marked with yellow but heavily silver-grey dusted.
See references for
determination
Determination is a positive emotional feeling that promotes persevering towards a difficult goal in spite of obstacles. Determination occurs prior to goal attainment and serves to motivate behavior that will help achieve one's goal.
Empirical ...
.
[ ]
Distribution
Palearctic
The Palearctic or Palaearctic is a biogeographic realm of the Earth, the largest of eight. Confined almost entirely to the Eastern Hemisphere, it stretches across Europe and Asia, north of the foothills of the Himalayas, and North Africa.
Th ...
: Fennoscandia south to Spain, Ireland east through Europe on to the Russian Far East and the Pacific coast, including Japan.
[Peck, L.V. (1988). "Syrphidae". In: Soos, A. & Papp, L. (eds.) ''Catalogue of Palaearctic Diptera'' 8: 11-230. Akad. Kiado, Budapest.]
Biology
Habitat: deciduous forest scrub, garrigue, hedgerows and gardens. Flies April to end of May.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Platycheirus Ambiguus
Diptera of Europe
Hoverflies of Europe
Syrphinae
Insects described in 1817