Eristalis similis (Fallén, 1817)

Nomenclature:

Eristalis pratorum (Meigen, 1822) in Falk (1990) and Stubbs (1996).

Biology & ecology:

The larva of this species remains undescribed, but other members of this genus are of the ?long-tailed?, aquatic type. Single adults have been found on two occasions in a woodland ride and a damp area in a conifer plantation. In continental Europe it is associated with mature to over-mature deciduous forest and Mediterranean evergreen forests. Adult males hover at 2-4m over woodland tracks, and both sexes can be found sitting on sunny trunks or visiting flowers (Speight, 1988).

Distribution:

Falk (1990) added this species to the British list on the basis of a single specimen found in Warwickshire in March 1990. There have been a few subsequent records, but it is difficult to be sure whether these are representative of the true frequency of this species. It appears to be a casual visitor at the moment and may well be over-looked or misidentified by many recorders.