Blera fallax
female
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Syrphidae
Subfamily: Eristalinae
Tribe: Milesiini
Genus: Blera
Species:
B. fallax
Binomial name
Blera fallax
Synonyms

Blera fallax, the pine hoverfly or roodkapje, is a rare species of hoverfly normally associated with mature pine trees in Northern and Central Europe.[6]

Biology

The pine hoverfly larva, which are of the rat-tailed maggot type, normally develop in damp rot holes of felled or fallen pine trees, notably the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), though it will occur with other conifers. Preference is for large stumps where there has been some heartwood softening by the fungus Phaeolus schweinitzii. Adult flies have been seen feeding on wild raspberry flowers, but little else is known about adult behaviour.[7]

Conservation

In Scotland, attempts have been made on RSPB sites to create artificial rot holes in felled pine stumps. This has led to a slight increase in numbers of adults in some areas, though numbers are still very low and causing some concern.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Pennards, G.W.A.; Popov, G.; Speight, M. (2021). "Blera fallax (Europe assessment)". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T149170057A149170061. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T149170057A149170061.en. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  2. ↑ Shiraki, T. (1968). Syrphidae (Insecta: Diptera). Fauna Japonica. Japan: Biogeographical Society of Japan. pp. Vol. II, 243 pp., XL pls., Vol. III, 272 pp., XLVII pls.
  3. ↑ De Geer, Charles (1774). Mémoires pour servir à l'histoire des insectes, vol. 4. Stockholm: Grefing & Hesselberg. pp. 52–53. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
  4. ↑ Panzer, Georg Wolfgang Franz (1804). D. Jacobi Christiani Schaefferi Iconum Insectorum circa Ratisbonam indigenorum Enumeratio Systematica. Erlangae [=Erlangen].: Palmii. pp. xvi + 260. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  5. ↑ Fabricius, Johan Christian (1794). Entomologia systematica emendata et aucta. Tome IV. Hafniae [=Copenhagen]: C.G. Proft. pp. [6] + 472 + [5] pp. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  6. ↑ Stubbs, Alan E.; Falk, Steven J. (1983). British Hoverflies: An Illustrated Identification Guide (2nd ed.). London: British Entomological and Natural History Society. pp. 1–253, i–xv. ISBN 1-899935-03-7.
  7. 1 2 MacGowan, Iain (2008). "Blera fallax". Bulletin of the Dipterists Forum (print). UK: The Dipterists Forum (66): 14–15. ISSN 1358-5029.

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