Spotted Meliscaeva - Meliscaeva auricollis
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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.