Black-footed Globetail
Sphaerophoria philantha
Sphaerophoria philanthus is a species of syrphid fly in the family Syrphidae. It is found in Europe.
25
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphaerophoria_philanthus
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Diptera
Family
Syrphidae
Genus
Sphaerophoria
Black-footed Globetail belongs to the family Syrphidae, order Diptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
Sphaerophoria philanthus is a species of syrphid fly in the family Syrphidae. It is found in Europe.
The Black-footed Globetail faces severe population declines due to widespread habitat loss from agricultural intensification and urban development across its range. Climate change is altering flowering patterns of key host plants, disrupting the species' reproductive cycle and reducing available nectar sources essential for adult survival.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Open grasslands, wildflower meadows, agricultural field margins, and gardens with abundant flowering plants, particularly favoring areas with composite flowers and umbellifers. The species requires diverse floral resources throughout the growing season and suitable overwintering sites in leaf litter or vegetation.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The Black-footed Globetail faces severe population declines due to widespread habitat loss from agricultural intensification and urban development across its range. Climate change is altering flowering patterns of key host plants, disrupting the species' reproductive cycle and reducing available nectar sources essential for adult survival.
Agricultural intensification and pesticide use
Climate change impacts on host plant phenology
Loss of wildflower meadows and field margins
Urban development and habitat fragmentation
Pollution affecting nectar quality
Found in 25 Countries
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Black-footed Globetail (Sphaerophoria philantha). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/black-footed-globetail