Sphaerophoria scripta (Linnaeus, 1758) (Commonly known as the “Long Hoverfly”).
Family: Syrphidae
Wingspan: 5 to 7mm Body length: 7 to 12mm. Lifespan, up to six weeks.
Adult Flight: March till November. (Height of season, July and August)
A widespread and the most common Sphaerophoria species of hoverfly, which can be found in most parts of the UK. Absent further north you go into the mountainous regions, of West Scotland. Mainly migratory in the most northern parts of the UK.
The male’s body is more elongated than the female’s body. Also in Spring, males can often have a darker coloration which is influenced at larvae stage, due to temperature conditions. Also, colouration patterns on their abdomens can vary and may be spotted, instead of being banded.
Sphaerophoria scripta is also common throughout most of Europe. It can also be found as far south as North Africa and into Russia and East Asian countries.
Habitat: Waste grounds, grasslands, flower rich meadows, hedgerows, gardens and parks.
Larvae feed mainly on aphids, the adults feed on the nectar and pollen from a wide variety of flowering plants; especially from plant species of Asteraceae, Galeopsis tetrahit and Heracleum sphondylium.
A complete Life Cycle can be as little as six weeks, from egg, to adult laying egg; overwinters as larva.