Eupeodes luniger is a common species of hoverfly.
It is characterized by hook-shaped markings along the center of its abdomen.
Description External images For terms see Morphology of Diptera Wing length 7·5-8·5 mm. Male: postocular orbit less than 0.5 of its maximal width near vertex. Female: frons with white dust spots, the undusted area extending as a black Y- shape into the yellow part. Tergite 5 with yellow side margin.Van Veen, M. (2004) Hoverflies of Northwest Europe: identification keys to the Syrphidae. 256pp. KNNV Publishing, Utrecht.addendum Van der Goot, V.S. (1981) De zweefvliegen van Noordwest - Europa en Europees Rusland, in het bijzonder van de Benelux. KNNV, Uitgave no.32: 275pp. Amsterdam. Bei-Bienko, G.Y. & Steyskal, G.C. (1988) Keys to the Insects of the European Part of the USSR, Volume V: Diptera and Siphonaptera, Part I. Amerind Publishing Co., New Delhi. .Coe, R.L. (1953) Diptera: Syrphidae. Handbks.ident.Br.insects, 10(1): 1-98. R.ent.Soc.London. pdf The male genitalia are figured by Dusek and Laska (1973).Dusek J. & Laska P. (1973) Descriptions of five new European species of the genus Metasyrphus (Diptera: Syrphidae), with notes on variation within the species. Acta ent.bohemoslov., 70(6): 415-426. The larva is illustrated by Rotheray (1993)Rotheray G., 1993 Colour Guide to Hoverfly Larvae Diptera, Syrphidae in Britain and Europe Dipterists Forum pdf
Distribution Palaearctic from Fennoscandia South to Iberia and the Mediterranean basin. Ireland East through Europe into Asia Minor. European Russia, the Russian Far East and Siberia to the Pacific coast (Kuril Isles). Japan. North India. A highly migratory species .
Biology Habitat: Open ground, dune grassland, grassland and forest, woodland clearings and tracks, farmland and orchards, suburban gardens. Up to 2,000m in the Alps. Flowers visited include white Umbelliferae, Calluna, Leontodon, Malus sylvestris, Polygonum cuspidatum, Prunus spinosa, Ranunculus, Rosa rugosa, Senecio, Taraxacum.Peck, L.V. (1988) Syrphidae. In: Soos, A. & Papp, L. (eds.) Catalogue of Palaearctic Diptera, 8: 11-230. Akad.Kiado, Budapest. The flight period is April to November (earlier in South Europe). The larva feeds on aphids. Barkemeyer (1994) details the biology of E. lunigerBarkemeyer, W. (1994) Untersuchung zum Vorkommen der Schwebfliegen in Niedersachsen und Bremen (Diptera: Syrphidae). Naturschutz und Landschaftspflege in Niedersachsen, 31: 1-514.
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