Philhelius pedissequus explained

Philhelius pedissequus is a species of hoverfly.[1] Prior to 2018, it was known under the genus name Xanthogramma, a junior synonym.[2]

Etymology

The Latin species name pedissequus means that follows on foot, like an attendant.

Distribution and habitat

This uncommon species is present in most of Europe, in Western Siberia, in the Near East and in North Africa.[3] It prefers grassland, open fields close to deciduous forest.

Description

Philhelius pedissequus can reach a length of 10- and a wing length of 7.25–9.75 mm.[4] [5] These hoverflies have a black body, with two yellow lateral stripes on the thorax, and yellow markings on tergites two to five. The pairs of tergites 2 are wedge-shaped and considerably wide.[5] [6]

Biology

Flight period last from mid May through September, with a peak at the end of June.[6] The adults feed on different flowers, for example, Ballota nigra, Potentilla erecta and Heracleum sphondylium.[4] Little is known of its larval stages. Larvae have been found underground in nests of the black garden ant (Lasius niger) and yellow meadow ant (Lasius flavus), probably to feed on ant-attended root aphids Forda formicaria and Trama species that they collect.[6] [4] [7] [8]

Notes and References

  1. https://www.biolib.cz/en/taxon/id123587/ Biolib
  2. Evenhuis NL. Nomenclatural studies toward a World List of Diptera genus-group names. Part VI: Daniel William Coquillett. Zootaxa. 2018 Feb 18;4381(1):1-95. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.4381.1.1. PMID: 29689947
  3. https://fauna-eu.org/cdm_dataportal/taxon/076bbda3-e02a-47d1-8f1c-60c15e2a9f64 Fauba europea
  4. J.K. Lindsey Commanster
  5. Stuart Ball, Roger Morris Britain's Hoverflies: A Field Guide, Revised and Updated Second Edition
  6. https://www.naturespot.org.uk/species/xanthogramma-pedissequum Nature Spot
  7. Book: Stubbs, Alan E. . Falk, Steven J. . amp . 1983 . British Hoverflies: An Illustrated Identification Guide. 253, xvpp . British Entomological & Natural History Society.
  8. https://web.archive.org/web/20110516074822/http://www.towerhamletscemetery.org/Diptera_Report_2007.pdf Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park - Diptera Survey Report 2007