Paul Leyland – Marmalade Hoverfly

Photo: Paul Leyland

Paul writes: If you can only recognise one hoverfly it will probably be this one. The combination of orange and black stripes on the abdomen is found only on this species. The Marmalade Hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus) widespread throughout Europe, North Asia and North Africa and can turn up in almost all habits. Whenever I’m on holiday in mainland Europe I look out for them. On a recent holiday to the Swiss Alps I found this one in an alpine meadow at an altitude above 2200m.

In the UK they can be found in any month. They overwinter as adults, so on warm winter days can make an appearance on any available flower, especially in the south. In summer the numbers are often increased by large-scale immigration from the continent. Suddenly every flower will be alive with them and they can be mistaken for a swarm of wasps (especially by the press).

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