Cheilosia carbonaria Egger, 1860

Biology & ecology:

The larva of this species is unknown. Adults are most frequently occur along woodland rides and edges, usually on well-drained and calcareous soils. They fly low along track sides, woodland edges and large hedgerows and visit a range of white umbels and yellow composites. Although Stubbs (1982) lists this as a ?good? primary woodland indicator, it has proved not to be confined to ancient woodlands.

Distribution:

Most records are from well-wooded areas south of the Thames from Sussex to Devon. There are a few isolated records from as far north as South Lancashire.

Status & conservation:

There has been some decline in occurrence over the past 25 years. From the authors' experience, this may be a real trend even though the Cheilosini are less assiduously reported by modern recorders.