Chrysotoxum bicinctum

Two-band Wespenschwebfliege ( Chrysotoxum bicinctum )

The two-band Wespenschwebfliege ( Chrysotoxum bicinctum ) is a species of the family of hoverflies (Syrphidae ).

Features

The type reaches a body length of 10 to 12 mm. Her black abdomen bears two characteristic yellow napkins; a broad and a narrow second at the fourth segment. The third abdominal segment is black, what makes it different from the other species of the genus Chrysotoxum, and having all three segments of approximately equal width, yellow napkins. However, occasionally the third abdominal segment of C. bicinctum a fine, two-part approach a yellow binding is on the top can be seen. Even on the fifth abdominal segment there is a very fine, two-piece yellow band. The mesonotum is black and bears in the middle of two more or less weak to be detected light gray vertical stripes. Each is a yellow, dotted about in the middle lateral line on the side of Mesonotums. The tag ( scutellum ) is colored matte black. The face is yellow and marked with a black Mittelstrieme, the first two terms of the black leads are together longer than the third. The wings are transparent except for a large dark brown spot on the front edge near the tip. Which femurs (thigh ) of the front and middle legs pairs basal black, the hind leg is to be 80 percent. The remaining members of the legs are colored yellow.

Similar Species

The two-band Wespenschwebfliege can be easily confused with the broadband Waldschwebfliege ( Dasyrphus tricinctus ), but differed mainly by their shorter probe, the narrow dark spot on the wings, the absence of the yellow side lines on mesothorax and the yellow binding on the third abdominal segment can be.

Occurrence and habitat

The species occurs throughout the Holarctic. They are found along forest edges, river banks, clearings and meadows. They are not common, but widely used, such as in urban areas. Your flight time is from May to September with a peak in July.

Way of life

The adults are fast fliers. Males usually hover at a height of 2-3 meters and can be used for latching on to Grundvegation down. The flies feed on nectar. They are found mainly in umbel flowers, often on parsnips and beaver Nellen. The larvae live in the soil, usually near the anthill and eat zoophag sucking on roots, among other aphids.