Cheilosia albitarsis is an abundant European species of hoverfly. Adults can be found in spring visiting buttercup flowers and this plant is also the larval hostplant.
Description A large, broadly-built Cheilosia (wing length 7-9·5 mm.) Male: thorax dorsum black-haired. Tarsae 1 tarsomere 5 square. Antero-lateral black hairs on tergite 2. Female: 1 middle tarsomeres pale. Mouth margin not protruding downwards. Arista of hair length equal to diameter of arista. See references for determinationVan Veen, M. (2004) Hoverflies of Northwest Europe: identification keys to the Syrphidae. 256pp. KNNV Publishing, Utrecht.addendumVan 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 larva is illustrated by Rotheray (1993).Rotheray G., 1993 Colour Guide to Hoverfly Larvae Diptera, Syrphidae in Britain and Europe Dipterists Forum pdf
Distribution Throughout the Palearctic.
Biology The habitat is woodland and forest clearings, agricultural land and forest clearings. Also montane and subalpine pasture. Flowers visited include white umbellifers, composites Ajuga, Allium ursinum, Caltha, Crataegus, Matricaria, Potentilla, Prunus spinosa, Ranunculus, Sorbus, Stellaria.The flight period is April to June, and into July at higher altitudes.
References