Order Diptera Higher classification Volucella | Family Syrphidae Scientific name Volucella inanis Rank Species | |
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Similar Volucella, Hoverfly, Fly, Insect, Volucella zonaria | ||
Volucella inanis is a species of hoverfly belonging to the family Syrphidae.
Contents
Description
The adults reach 15–17 mm (0.59–0.67 in) long and can be encountered from early July to early September, feeding on flowers of various species such as yarrow (Achillea millefolium), dill (Anethum graveolens), heather (Erica species), thistles (genera Carduus, Cirsium, and Onopordum) and Buddleja davidii.
They have three yellow bands on an otherwise black abdomen and thus closely resemble wasps in a form of mimicry. The first two bands are completely or partially interrupted by a black wedge. The head has feather-like antennae and the wings have darkened patches in the middle and on the tip.
The female lays eggs in the nests of social wasps and hornets (Vespa crabro, Vespula germanica, etc.). The larvae of this hoverfly are ectoparasites of larvae of the wasps.
Distribution
This species is present in most of Europe, in East Palearctic ecozone, in the Near East and in North Africa.
