Bremse-dyndflue
Eristalis oestracea
Eristalis oestracea, the orange-tailed drone fly, is a species of hoverfly native to Europe and North America. In Europe it is found in bogs, moors, and coastal dunes.
15
Countries
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Tina Ellegaard Poulsen, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tina Ellegaard Poulsen
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Diptera
Family
Syrphidae
Genus
Eristalis
Bremse-dyndflue belongs to the family Syrphidae, order Diptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
Eristalis oestracea, the orange-tailed drone fly, is a species of hoverfly native to Europe and North America. In Europe it is found in bogs, moors, and coastal dunes. It nectars on white flowers in the carrot family (Apiaceae) and yellow flowers in the aster family (Asteraceae). It is very poorly known in North America. E. oestracea measures 14-15 mm in length.
Bremse-dyndflue (Eristalis oestracea) faces significant threats from habitat degradation and loss of wetland environments essential for its larval development. Agricultural intensification and urban development have reduced the availability of suitable breeding sites, while pollution and climate change further impact the aquatic habitats this hoverfly depends on.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
This hoverfly species inhabits wetland margins, shallow pools, and slow-moving water bodies where organic matter accumulates, providing suitable conditions for its aquatic larvae. Adults are typically found in adjacent grasslands, meadows, and woodland edges where they feed on nectar from various flowering plants.
Threats
Agricultural intensification and pesticide use
Wetland habitat loss and degradation
Climate change altering habitat conditions
Urban development and land conversion
Water pollution affecting larval breeding sites
Found in 15 Countries
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (VU).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
Report a sightingNo community sightings yet. Be the first to report!
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
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Bremse-dyndflue (Eristalis oestracea). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/bremse-dyndflue