Species Account for Pherbellia brunnipes
Pherbellia brunnipes (Meigen, 1838)
Diptera: other groups: Sciomyzidae
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Taxonomic group: flies (other) (Diptera: other groups) - County data
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Status: Notable
Essex RDB: Listed
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This snail-killing fly has widely scattered records in England, Wales and Scotland, but is perhaps most frequent in highland areas of Scotland, Westmorland and also the Thames and Severn estuaries. It is widespread though local with about 40 known post 1960 sites. Formerly regarded as a rarity, the apparent increase probably marks an increase in recording levels in recent years (Falk 1991a). The status has been revised from RDB3 (Shirt 1987). A range of wetlands are used including fen, acid bog, dune slack, coastal levels, gravel pits and damp woods. Standing water may be a requirement. Larvae probably develop as parasitoids of aquatic pulmonate snails, though exact hosts are unknown. Ensure a range of vegetation types including ditches, ponds and their marginal vegetation using rotational management where necessary. Seasonally fluctuating water levels may be of importance (Falk, op. cit.). References
Habitats
Recorded management for locations with Pherbellia brunnipes
Recorded substrate and hydrology for locations with Pherbellia brunnipes
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