Myolepta potens
| Myolepta potens | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Syrphidae |
| Genus: | Myolepta |
| Species: | M. potens
|
| Binomial name | |
| Myolepta potens Harris, 1776
| |
| Synonyms | |
Myolepta potens is a European hoverfly.
The species ranges from France and Germany through central Europe to the Black Sea. It is rare throughout its range and is listed in the
Indicator species
, because its presence indicates that a large quantity of standing deadwood is also present.
The species was discovered in
Combe Dingle, which is close to the Blaise Castle Estate within which Blaise Wood lies. J. C. Hartley found six larvae in a rot-hole at Ashton Court
, Bristol in 1961, thus providing proof of the species' breeding in Britain. Despite attempts to relocate the species in its Bristol and Somerset sites in the 1980s and 1990s, it has not been refound (Loxley Wood is largely coniferised and therefore no longer suitable for supporting the species).
In the
extinct. During an English Nature-commissioned survey of Moccas Park National Nature Reserve in Herefordshire, Andy Godfrey
found Myolepta potens larvae in a rot-hole. Subsequent survey work revealed that there is a strong population at this site using rot holes in several different species of tree.
Two
English names have been coined for this species, although neither has gained widespread usage: the Western wood-vase hoverfly [2] and the Moccas hoverfly [3]
References
- ISBN 0-9502891-3-2.
- ^ "Ancient- tree hoverfly rediscovered in the UK after more than 50 years". Ancient Tree Forum. Woodland Trust. 29 April 2002. Archived from the original on 7 December 2007. Retrieved 25 Nov 2008.
- ^ "Reprieve for 'extinct' Hoverfly" (PDF). English Nature. Retrieved 25 Nov 2008.