Sericomyia lappona (Linnaeus, 1758)

Biology & ecology:

The larva is of the ?long-tailed?, aquatic type, and is associated with peaty pools and boggy stream-sides in moorland and with wet woodland, such as Salix carr. Adults are usually seen visiting flowers, or basking on sun-lit foliage, rocks, etc., near larval habitat. In southern England, this species is associated with sandy, acid heathland, not always in wet areas. It tends to occur earlier in the year than S. silentis, although they are not infrequently seen together.

Distribution:

Very similar in distribution to S. silentis (the two species often occur together), but less abundant and more strictly confined to bogs, especially in southern Britain.

Status & conservation:

Trend analysis suggests a slight decline since the late 1980s. The peak in frequency of occurrence in the late 1980s represents intensive sampling by the Welsh Peatlands Invertebrate Survey.