Brachyopa scutellaris is a European species of hoverfly.Van Veen, M. (2004) Hoverflies of Northwest Europe: identification keys to the Syrphidae. 256pp. KNNV Publishing, Utrecht.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. .
Description External images For terms see Morphology of Diptera The wing length is 6·5-7·75 mm. Apical antennomere with a large kidney-shaped sensory pit Tergite 2 posterolaterally black pilose.Coe, R.L. (1953) Diptera: Syrphidae. Handbks. ident. Br. insects, 10(1): 1-98. R. Ent. Soc. London. 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 Brachyopa scutellaris is a west Palearctic species with a distribution centred in Europe (Denmark to the Pyrenees, Ireland east through Central Europe to Switzerland).Fauna EuropaeaPeck, L.V. (1988) Syrphidae. In: Soos, A. & Papp, L. (eds.) Catalogue of Palaearctic Diptera, 8: 11-230. Akad. Kiado, Budapest.
Habitat and biology The habitat is deciduous forest (Acer, Alnus, Ulmus, Fraxinus). The flight period is mid April to end June. Brachyopa scutellaris flies, pendulously, in sunlit patches beside living trees with sap runs (where the larvae develop) and around rot-holes. Flowers visited include white umbellifers, Cardamine, Crataegus, Malus, Cornus, Photinia, Rubus fruticosus, Sorbus and Viburnum.de Buck, N. (1990) Bloembezoek en bestuivingsecologie van Zweefvliegen (Diptera, Syrphidae) in het bijzonder voor België. Doc.Trav. IRSNB, no.60, 1-167.
References
External links Biolib