Pipiza noctiluca is a species of Hoverfly, from the family Syrphidae, in the order Diptera.
Description External images For terms see Morphology of Diptera Wing length 6.5 -8mm. Tarsae1: segments 1-2 yellowish; face broadened towards mouth edge with eye margins divergent. Wing: dark cloud at median.3rd segment as long as wide. Abdomen yellow spots with small or abdomen entirely grey black. See references for determination.Van 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
Distribution Palearctic Atlantic zone of Europe and Scandinavia. All Europe if older records are acceptedFauna EuropaeaPeck, L.V. (1988) Syrphidae. In: Soos, A. & Papp, L. (eds.) Catalogue of Palaearctic Diptera, 8: 11-230. Akad.Kiado, Budapest.
Biology Habitat: Salix stands and Quercus woodland, Atlantic scrub, conifer forest, conifer plantations. Suburban gardens and along hedges in farmland. Flowers visited include umbellifers, Crataegus, Filipendula, Ranunculus, Rosa, Stellaria, Taraxacum.de Buck, N. (1990) Bloembezoek en bestuivingsecologie van Zweefvliegen (Diptera, Syrphidae) in het bijzonder voor België. Doc.Trav. IRSNB, no.60, 1-167. Flies May to September. Pipiza larvae are predators of gall forming aphids.
References