Cheilosia antiqua

Cheilosia antiqua is a hoverfly in the family Syrphidae, a group renowned for their remarkable wasp- and bee-like mimicry and their essential role as pollinators across temperate ecosystems. Like many members of its genus, this species is likely to display the characteristic dark, robust, bee-mimicking body form typical of Cheilosia, with dense pile and a superficially furry appearance that helps distinguish it from true bees at a glance, though genus-level identification often requires close examination of wing venation and genitalia. Cheilosia antiqua is associated with early-flowering plants in woodland and woodland-edge habitats across parts of its European range, where adults visit blossom for nectar and pollen while larvae are believed to develop within plant tissue, a life history pattern shared by many congeners in the genus.

The species is currently classified as Vulnerable (VU) by the IUCN, reflecting concern over its restricted distribution and the pressures facing the semi-natural habitats it depends upon. Populations appear to be fragmented and localized, making the species particularly sensitive to changes in land management within its range. On a more encouraging note, increased survey effort for European Syrphidae in recent decades has improved understanding of this species' distribution and habitat associations, and several sites within its known range now fall under some form of habitat protection or agri-environmental management aimed at conserving early-successional woodland flora, the resource base on which this hoverfly depends.

Continued monitoring and targeted habitat management for spring-flowering understorey plants could meaningfully support the persistence of this Vulnerable species within its remaining strongholds.

Cheilosia antiqua occurs in woodland and woodland-edge habitats in parts of Europe, where it is associated with early-flowering understorey plants used by adults for nectar and pollen.