Natural England

Natural England

Gardening with Wildlife in Mind

The Plant Press

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Xylota segnis - a hoverfly - Family: Syrphidae

Xylota segnis - a hoverflyXylota segnis - a hoverfly
© Roger Key/English Nature
UK distribution - East Anglia, Midlands, North, South East, South West

This is an orange and black hoverfly which slightly resembles an Ichneumon wasp. Adults are characteristically seen running about, or sunbathing, on leaves in hedgerows and woodland.

They have a preference for feeding on honey-dew secreted by aphids and can be seen sucking it off the leaf surface; they are rarely found at flowers. Wet, very rotten dead wood is the usual breeding site. This species is widespread and usually common in, or near, woods.

Food

Larvae found in rotting sawdust and rotting wood etc. Adults feed mainly on honeydew on leaves.

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