Platycheirus peltatus (Meigen, 1822)

Nomenclature:

P. nielseni was split from P. peltatus by Vockeroth (1990).

Biology & ecology:

The early stages of this common species require further investigation because the identification of the specimens that have been described is open to doubt. The available data suggests that the larva preys on a range of aphids in shaded, moist sites. It appears to be a more lowland species than P. nielseni, occurring in upland areas only along valley floors. It is found in damp, grassy situations along rivers and streams, in woodland rides and clearings and around large hedgerows. Adults fly low down amongst the vegetation and will settle on sun-lit leaves. Males hover over bare patches.

Distribution:

Widespread and common in lowlands throughout Britain.

Status & conservation:

The frequency of occurrence showed a very marked decline to around the mid 1990s, but subsequently the trend has been upwards and it has at least partially recovered.