Species Information
Body length 8-13 mm. A fairly distinctive conopid with a chestnut body, yellow head, and unmarked, pale grey-brown wings.
The larvae are parasites which feed on bumblebees. Seen May to September. Adults frequent hedgerows, flowery meadows and gardens where they feed on nectar or pollen, and search for bumblebee hosts. Very common and widespread throughout Britain.
Classification
Class:
Order:
Suborder:
Infraorder
Superfamily
Family:
Genus:
Species:
Insecta (Insects)
Diptera (True Flies)
Brachycera (Higher Diptera)
Schizophora – Acalyptratae
Conopoidea
Conopidae (Thick-headed Flies)
Sicus
Sicus ferrugineus (Linnaeus, 1761)
Photographs
All photographs copyright © Peter Hillman
Please see the ‘about‘ page for details on use of images