Recent hoverfly records from Essex
Mallota cimbiciformis (Fallen) Notable (Scarce)
Nationally a very scarce species, and like Brachypalpus, this is another species associated with rot
holes in trees which turned up in Epping Forest in 2000 when Peter Harvey found it in Little Monk
Wood (TQ4297) on 26.vi.2000. There are also Epping Forest records from 1983 (Mark Hanson)
and from Weald Country Park, Brentwood where Graham Rotheray found an empty puparium inside
a rot hole in a Sweet Chestnut in May 1990.
Paragus albifrons (Fallen) RDB2 (Vulnerable)
This is a very rare species in Britain with only a handful of recent records for the whole country.
Interestingly, the most recent records have been from the Thames marshes in Essex and Kent. Peter
Harvey collected this species from the Northwick area on Canvey Island (TQ7683) on 26.viii.2000.
This is the first record for Essex since Alan Stubbs found the fly on Ministry of Defence land at
Shoebury (TQ9686) in July 1983. It is apparently very elusive, preferring to fly early or late in the
day and like other Paragus species is easily overlooked. The larvae feed on aphids and have been
recorded from various thistles and Rest-harrow.
Trichopsomyia flavitarsis (Mg.)
Peter Harvey took a specimen of this fly on Sunshine Plain in Epping Forest (TQ4299) on 26.vi.2000.
This is only the second record of this species in Essex, the first being from Brightlingsea in the early
1980s (D.A. Smith). It lives in wet, often heathy places and is believed to be associated with rushes
(Juncus spp.). The larva is known to be a predator of the Psyllid bug Livia juncorum which produces
galls on Juncus articulatus. In south-east Britain it is rare, probably limited by the lack of suitable
habitats. It is also easily overlooked as it flies low amongst dense vegetation, feeding from low-
growing flowers such as Tormentil Potentilla erecta.
Volucella inflata (Fabricius) Notable (Scarce)
This is another nationally scarce species which has been recorded more often in recent years. Until
1987, when Colin Plant recorded a male in Canfield Hart, there were only 2 records for Essex.
These were from Colchester (1903) and Wintry Wood in Epping (1948). Two of the most recent
records are from Crockleford Hall (TM0327) on 26.vi.1999 taken by J. Aird, and from Garnetts
Wood (TL6518) in August 2000 taken by Neil Harvey. The species is associated with woodland and
the larvae are thought to be predators in sap runs on mature trees.
Xanthandrus comptus (Harris) Notable (Scarce)
This is still a scarce hoverfly in Britain, though records have increased in recent years. This is also
true for Essex with 2 new records in 1999. Neil Harvey recorded a female and several territorial
males on Donyland Heath (TM0121) on 12.vii.1999 and one in Shut Heath Wood on 28.vii.1999.
The larvae feed on micro-moth caterpillars.
Reference
MORRIS, R.K.A. (1998) Hoverflies of Surrey. Surrey Wildlife Trust, Woking.
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 18 (2001)