Eupeodes nitens (Zetterstedt, 1843)

Nomenclature:

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

Biology & ecology:

The larva is predaceous upon aphids on shrubs, with reports of associations with aphids on Black Currant Ribes nigrum, Elderberry Sambucus nigra and Spindle Euonymus europaeus.

Distribution:

The majority of records are southern or western and are largely confined to England. Obvious centres of population lie in Dorset, Hampshire and Surrey with a further concentration of records along the Severn valley and the Welsh Marches. The most northerly records are from southern Cumbria and County Durham.

Status & conservation:

The frequency of occurrence is very variable with a very slight (but not significant) downward trend.