behaarde wespvlieg
Spilomyia manicata
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spilomyia_manicata
Overview
The behaarde wespvlieg (Spilomyia manicata) is a distinctive hoverfly species characterized by its robust, hairy body and striking wasp-like yellow and black coloration that serves as protective mimicry. This medium-sized dipteran plays a crucial ecological role as both a pollinator of various flowering plants and as part of forest decomposition cycles, with its larvae developing in decaying wood.
The behaarde wespvlieg faces significant threats from habitat loss and degradation of its specialized woodland environments. Climate change and agricultural intensification are reducing the availability of suitable forest edges and clearings where this hoverfly depends on specific host plants and nectar sources.
Habitat
Deciduous and mixed woodlands, forest edges, and woodland clearings with abundant dead wood and fallen logs. The species requires areas with flowering plants for nectar sources and decaying organic matter where larvae can develop.
Other threatened species in Syrphidae
Threatened in Austria
Frequently asked questions
Why is behaarde wespvlieg classified as Vulnerable?
Where does behaarde wespvlieg live?
What are the main threats to behaarde wespvlieg?
Get weekly conservation intelligence
One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.
Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.