Rhingia

Common Schnauzenschwebfliege ( Rhingia campestris )

The Schnabelschwebfliegen ( Rhingia ), also known as Schnauzenschwebfliegen, are a genus of hoverflies (Syrphidae ), which are characterized particularly by the beak -like extension of the facial area.

Features

The Schnabelschwebfliegen are medium in size with eight to eleven millimeters body length. The body is stocky and has, unlike many other hoverflies, wasps do not like black and yellow drawing on. The most striking feature is below the eyes of the solid to a beak-shaped structure clypeus, on the bottom are the mouthparts. The wings are often yellowish- brown.

Way of life

The animals are found as flower visitors from May to September on meadows and pastures, where they prefer flowers with deep cups. Notably, they can be found in purple and blue flowers, especially oregano, Bugle, Buttercup, stork beaks or deadnettles.

Eggs are laid on blades of grass above cow dung. The larvae are koprophag in cow dung and disguise themselves there with manure particles.

Species

In Europe, three Rhingia species are represented:

• Common Schnauzenschwebfliege ( Rhingia campestris )
• Mountain Schnabelschwebfliege ( Rhingia borealis)
• Rhingia rostrata