Eupeodes lapponicus (Zetterstedt, 1838)

Nomenclature:

Syrphus lapponicus Zetterstedt in Coe (1953), Metasyrphus lapponicus (Zetterstedt) in Stubbs & Falk (1983).

Biology & ecology:

Although little is known of adult requirements, an association with coniferous woodland is suspected. The larva has been found feeding on aphids at some height on Spruce Picea, and also feeding on Spindle Euonymus europaeus and Oak Quercus sp. Some, but not all British records are from areas of native pinewood, but it has also been found recently visiting flowers along rides in a conifer plantation (Levy & Levy, 1998). There is some evidence that it overwinters as an adult, but over-wintering larvae and puparia have also been found in forest floor litter. The overall picture is very confused at the moment and its status and requirements are very unclear.

Distribution:

There are scattered records from Scotland and southern England and this species is suspected to be an intermittent vagrant. Eupeodes species A is very possibly a temperature-related form of E. lapponicus.