grote gevlekte langlijf
Sphaerophoria interrupta
The grote gevlekte langlijf (Sphaerophoria interrupta) is a distinctive hoverfly species characterized by its elongated abdomen with interrupted yellow bands and spotted wing patterns. As an important pollinator, this species plays a crucial ecological role in maintaining plant diversity while its larvae serve as biological control agents by feeding on aphids and other soft-bodied insects.
27
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphaerophoria_interrupta
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Diptera
Family
Syrphidae
Genus
Sphaerophoria
grote gevlekte langlijf belongs to the family Syrphidae, order Diptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
The grote gevlekte langlijf (Sphaerophoria interrupta) is a distinctive hoverfly species characterized by its elongated abdomen with interrupted yellow bands and spotted wing patterns. As an important pollinator, this species plays a crucial ecological role in maintaining plant diversity while its larvae serve as biological control agents by feeding on aphids and other soft-bodied insects.
Sphaerophoria interrupta, a hoverfly species, faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of its specialized wetland and grassland environments. Agricultural intensification and urbanization have eliminated much of the species' required breeding and foraging habitat, while climate change may be altering the availability of suitable microhabitats.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Sphaerophoria interrupta inhabits flower-rich grasslands, traditional hay meadows, and woodland edges where diverse native flowering plants provide nectar sources. The species requires areas with abundant aphid populations on herbaceous plants for larval development, typically found in semi-natural grasslands with minimal chemical inputs.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Sphaerophoria interrupta, a hoverfly species, faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of its specialized wetland and grassland environments. Agricultural intensification and urbanization have eliminated much of the species' required breeding and foraging habitat, while climate change may be altering the availability of suitable microhabitats.
Agricultural intensification
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Wetland drainage and degradation
Climate change impacts
Pesticide use
Found in 27 Countries
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (CR).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | 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
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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
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). grote gevlekte langlijf (Sphaerophoria interrupta). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/grote-gevlekte-langlijf