Volucella inanis is a species of hoverfly belonging to the family Syrphidae.[1]
| Volucella inanis | |
|---|---|
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| |
| Male | |
_on_Devil%27s-bit_Scabious_(Succisa_pratensis).JPG)
| |
| Female on Succisa pratensis | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Syrphidae |
| Genus: | Volucella |
| Species: | V. inanis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Volucella inanis | |
| Synonyms | |
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Distribution edit
This species is present in most of Europe, in eastern Palearctic realm, in the Near East and in North Africa.[2]
Description edit
The adults reach 15–17 mm (0.59–0.67 in) long. They have three yellow bands on an otherwise black abdomen and thus closely resemble wasps in a form of mimicry. The first two bands are completely or partially interrupted by a black wedge. The head has feather-like antennae and the wings have darkened patches in the middle and on the tip.
Biology edit
Volucella inanis can be encountered from early July to early September, feeding on flowers of species such as yarrow (Achillea millefolium), dill (Anethum graveolens), heather (Erica species), thistles (genera Carduus, Cirsium, and Onopordum) and Buddleja davidii.
The female lays eggs in the nests of social wasps and hornets (Vespa crabro, Vespula germanica, etc.). The larvae of this hoverfly are ectoparasites of larvae of the wasps.[3]
References edit
- ^ Stubbs, Alan E; Falk, Steven J (1983). British Hoverflies: An Illustrated Identification Guide (1st ed.). London: British Entomological and Natural History Society. p. 253. ISBN 9780950289137.
- ^ Fauna Europaea
- ^ Hoverfly, archived from the original on 2016-03-03
External links edit
Media related to Volucella inanis at Wikimedia Commons- Biolib
- Volucella
