Philhelius pedissequus is a species of hoverfly.Biolib Prior to 2018, it was known under the genus name Xanthogramma, a junior synonym.
Etymology The Latin species name pedissequus means that follows on foot, like an attendant.
Distribution and habitat This uncommon species is present in most of Europe, in Western Siberia, in the Near East and in North Africa.Fauba europea It prefers grassland, open fields close to deciduous forest.
Description
Philhelius pedissequus can reach a length of and a wing length of 7.25–9.75 mm.J.K. Lindsey CommansterStuart Ball, Roger Morris Britain's Hoverflies: A Field Guide, Revised and Updated Second Edition These hoverflies have a black body, with two yellow lateral stripes on the thorax, and yellow markings on tergites two to five. The pairs of tergites 2 are wedge-shaped and considerably wide.Nature Spot
Biology Flight period last from mid May through September, with a peak at the end of June. The adults feed on different flowers, for example, Ballota nigra, Potentilla erecta and Heracleum sphondylium. Little is known of its larval stages. Larvae have been found underground in nests of the black garden ant (Lasius niger) and yellow meadow ant (Lasius flavus), probably to feed on ant-attended root aphids Forda formicaria and Trama species that they collect.Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park - Diptera Survey Report 2007
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