Cheilosia vicina (Zetterstedt, 1849)

Nomenclature:

Cheilosia nasutula Becker in Stubbs & Falk (1983).

Biology & ecology:

The larva of this species remains unknown. Adults are most often found visiting flowers in either open or wooded situations (both deciduous or coniferous), or (especially males) basking on sun-lit leaves.

Distribution:

This species has a markedly northern distribution. It is frequent from North Wales and the Pennines northwards, and is amongst the commonest Cheilosia in Scotland. There are a few records from southern England, but confusion with C. antiqua and C. nigripes is possible and consequently several such records have been discounted.

Status & conservation:

There has been a significant decline in occurrence, although there is some evidence of increase in upland areas.