Melangyna quadrimaculata explained

Melangyna quadrimaculata is a European species of hoverfly.^{[1] [2]}

Description

External imagesFor terms see Morphology of Diptera
Wing length 7·25–9 mm. Males only four spots on the abdomen. Female tergites black, pale abdominal markings absent. Eyes with short hairs. The male terminalia are figured by Hippa (1968)).^[3] Larva described and figured by Rotheray (1994).^[4] See references for determination.^{[5] [6] [7] [8]}

Distribution

Palearctic Southern Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark South to Belgium. Ireland East through Central Europe into European Russia and on to the Russian Far East, Siberia and the Pacific coast (Sakhalin).^{[9] [10]}

Biology

Habitat Fagus and Quercus ancient woodlands, also in extensive parks in with overmature trees.^[11] Arboreal, but descends to visit flowers of Alnus, Anemone nemorosa, Carpinus, Chrysosplenium oppositifolium, Corylus, Hamamelis mollis, Lonicera xylosteum, Populus tremula, Salix, Sambucus, Tussilago.^[12] The flight period is end February to end April. The larvae are predacious on adelgids on firs.

Notes and References

1. Book: Stubbs . Alan E. . Falk . Steven J. . British Hoverflies: An Illustrated Identification Guide . 2nd . 1983 . . London . 1-899935-03-7 . 253, xvpp .
2. Book: Ball . S.G. . Morris . R.K.A. . Provisional atlas of British hoverflies (Diptera, Syrphidae) . 2000 . Biological Record Centre . Monks Wood, UK . 1-870393-54-6 . 167 pages .
3. Hippa, H. (1968) A generic revision of the genus Syrphus and allied genera (Diptera: Syrphidae) in the Palearctic region, with descriptions of the male genitalia. Acta Ent.Fenn., 25: 1-94.
4. Rotheray G., 1993 Colour Guide to Hoverfly Larvae Diptera, Syrphidae in Britain and Europe Dipterists Forum pdf
5. Van Veen, M. (2004) Hoverflies of Northwest Europe: identification keys to the Syrphidae. 256pp. KNNV Publishing, Utrecht.addendum
6. 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.
7. 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. .
8. Coe, R.L. (1953) Diptera: Syrphidae. Handbks.ident.Br.insects, 10(1): 1-98. R.ent.Soc.London. pdf
9. [Fauna Europaea]
10. Peck, L.V. (1988) Syrphidae. In: Soos, A. & Papp, L. (eds.) Catalogue of Palaearctic Diptera, 8: 11-230. Akad.Kiado, Budapest.
11. Speight . M.C.D. . 2011 . Species accounts of European Syrphidae (Diptera). Syrph the Net, the database of European Syrphidae . 65 . 285pp .
12. de Buck, N. (1990) Bloembezoek en bestuivingsecologie van Zweefvliegen (Diptera, Syrphidae) in het bijzonder voor België. Doc.Trav. IRSNB, no.60, 1-167.