Cheilosia praecox explained

Cheilosia praecox is a Palearctic hoverfly. Speight et al. (1998) indicate that the correct name for this species is C.urbana (Meigen).^[1]

Description

It is similar to Cheilosia psilophthalma and related species.^{[2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]}

Distribution and biology

Its habitat extends from Fennoscandia south to the Iberian peninsula and the Mediterranean basin, from Britain eastwards through central and southern Europe to the Balkans and Turkey, and in North Africa.^{[9] [10]} It prefers open places in coniferous and deciduous forest and scrub; grassland, including montane/subalpine grassland.

Flowers visited include white umbellifers, Acer pseudoplatanus, Anemone nemorosa, Buxus, Caltha, Euphorbia, Potentilla, Prunus spinosa, Salix, Taraxacum. It flies in April to June later at higher altitudes and more northerly latitudes. The larva feeds on Hieracium pilosella and Hieracium caespitosum.

External links

• Images representing Cheilosia praecox (as urbana)

Notes and References

1. https://www.zobodat.at/pdf/Volucella_4_0093-0102.pdf Claussen C. and Speight M.C.D. 1999. On the identity of Cheilosia ruralis (Meigen, 1822) (Diptera, Syrphidae) – with a review of its synonyms. Volucella 4:93-102 online Zobodat
2. 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.
3. Book: Stubbs, Alan E. . Falk, Steven J. . amp . 1983 . British Hoverflies: An Illustrated Identification Guide . British Entomological & Natural History Society. 0-9502891-3-2. 2nd (revised). 271, xvpp .
4. Bei-Bienko, G.Y. & Steyskal, G.C. (1988a) Keys to the Insects of the European Part of the USSR, Volume V: Diptera and Siphonaptera, Part I. Amerind Publishing Co., New Delhi. .
5. Van Veen, M. (2004) Hoverflies of Northwest Europe: identification keys to the Syrphidae. 256pp. KNNV Publishing, Utrecht.addendum
6. Coe, R.L. (1953) Diptera: Syrphidae. Handbks. ident. Br. insects, 10(1): 1-98. R.ent.Soc.London. pdf
7. [Fauna Europaea]
8. Peck, L.V. (1988) Syrphidae. In: Soos, A. & Papp, L. (eds.) Catalogue of Palaearctic Diptera, 8: 11-230. Akad.Kiado, Budapest.
9. [Fauna Europaea]
10. Speight . M.C.D. . 2011 . Species accounts of European Syrphidae (Diptera). Syrph the Net, the Database of European Syrphidae . 65 . 285pp .