Meliscaeva auricollis
This record describes Meliscaeva auricollis (species). Recorded family: Syrphidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Though small and dark coloured, the slanting rear border of the yellow crescent marks on tergite 2, particularly in males, help to identify the species. The spring generation tend to be darker bodied than those born later in the year. Prefers well-wooded places and is usually found around trees. February to December. This is one of the first hoverflies to appear in the year. A warm day, even in January or February, can bring it out of hibernation. Larvae are known to be associated with aphid colonies on shrubs such as Barberry and Broom and on the flowers and stems of umbellifers. The adult hibernates. Fairly frequent in southern England and the Midlands, scarcer elsewhere in Britain.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera
- Family
- Syrphidae
- Genus
- Meliscaeva
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Prefers well-wooded places and is usually found around trees.
Seasonal Activity
February to December. This is one of the first hoverflies to appear in the year. A warm day, even in January or February, can bring it out of hibernation.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Larvae are known to be associated with aphid colonies on shrubs such as Barberry and Broom and on the flowers and stems of umbellifers. The adult hibernates.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Fairly frequent in southern England and the Midlands, scarcer elsewhere in Britain.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Meliscaeva auricollis. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Meliscaeva auricollis (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Meliscaeva auricollis
What is Meliscaeva auricollis?
Meliscaeva auricollis is a species in the family Syrphidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
Where is Meliscaeva auricollis found?
Habitat: Prefers well-wooded places and is usually found around trees.
When is Meliscaeva auricollis active?
Meliscaeva auricollis: seasonal activity - February to December. This is one of the first hoverflies to appear in the year. A warm day, even in January or February, can bring it out of hibernation..
What is the life cycle of a Meliscaeva auricollis?
Larvae are known to be associated with aphid colonies on shrubs such as Barberry and Broom and on the flowers and stems of umbellifers. The adult hibernates.