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WildBristol.uk - Discovering Wildlife in Bristol

Spotted Meliscaeva - Meliscaeva auricollis

Favourite Photos

image species author location uploaded taken select
Spotted Meliscaeva Spotted Meliscaeva - Meliscaeva auricollis dylan Laundry Lane 26 Mar 2021, 7:17 p.m. 21 Mar 2021, 1 p.m.
Spotted Meliscaeva Spotted Meliscaeva - Meliscaeva auricollis dylan Laundry Lane 7 Mar 2021, 6:56 p.m. 25 Feb 2021, 2:56 p.m.
Spotted Meliscaeva Spotted Meliscaeva - Meliscaeva auricollis dylan Laundry Lane 7 Mar 2021, 6:56 p.m. 25 Feb 2021, 2:56 p.m.
Spotted Meliscaeva Spotted Meliscaeva - Meliscaeva auricollis dylan Laundry Lane 7 Mar 2021, 6:56 p.m. 25 Feb 2021, 2:57 p.m.
Spotted Meliscaeva Spotted Meliscaeva - Meliscaeva auricollis dylan Laundry Lane 7 Mar 2021, 6:56 p.m. 25 Feb 2021, 2:57 p.m.
Spotted Meliscaeva Spotted Meliscaeva - Meliscaeva auricollis dylan Laundry Lane 7 Mar 2021, 6:56 p.m. 25 Feb 2021, 2:57 p.m.

Species Description

Widespread and fairly frequent in the South, more scattered further North. Habitat includes: well wooded places with lots of flowers such as woodland rides, hedgerows, gardens, parks, cemeteries, allotments etc. Diet: Adults = pollen and nectar, Larvae = Aphids on a variety of herbs, shrubs and trees such as Salix and Prunus species, Lesser Celandine (Spring), Umbellifers and Brambles (Summer), Ivy (Autumn). Flight period: All year round but peaks in mid Summer around late June. Females may emerge from hibernation on sunny winter days. A very variable species - Spring individuals are much darker and sometimes referred to as form 'maculicornis', Summer individuals are lighter, and Autumn individuals become dark again.

Useful Links:

Naturespot

Steven Falk

www.eakringbirds.com

The Ecology of Commanster

Wikipedia

Gedling Conservation Trust Nottingham

iNaturalist

Bioimages

GBIF

NBN