wespreus
VU

wespreus

Volucella inanis

UnknownLCEULCEU

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volucella_inanis

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The wespreus faces significant decline due to the loss of ancient woodland and mature forest habitats essential for its complex lifecycle. Agricultural intensification and urban development have fragmented the old-growth forests where this hoverfly depends on large tree hollows for breeding. Climate change poses additional pressure by altering the phenology of its wasp host species, disrupting the precise timing required for successful parasitic development.

Threat summary

Habitat

The wespreus inhabits mature deciduous and mixed forests, particularly ancient woodlands with large, hollow trees that provide breeding sites. This species requires well-established forest ecosystems with diverse wasp communities that serve as hosts during its larval development.

Other threatened species in Syrphidae

Sphaerophoria fatarumEN

Sphaerophoria fatarum

Unknown
kustplatvoetjeEN

kustplatvoetje

Platycheirus immarginatus

Unknown
Chalcosyrphus valgusVU

Chalcosyrphus valgus

Unknown
Cheilosia nebulosaVU

Cheilosia nebulosa

Unknown

Threatened in Åland Islands

Curlew SandpiperVU

Curlew Sandpiper

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
Scarce BlackneckCR

Scarce Blackneck

Lygephila craccae

Unknown
EN

knopphodeedderkopp

Walckenaeria nodosa

Unknown
EN

Dolichopus notatus

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is wespreus classified as Vulnerable?
wespreus is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The wespreus faces significant decline due to the loss of ancient woodland and mature forest habitats essential for its complex lifecycle. Agricultural intensification and urban development have fragmented the old-growth forests where this hoverfly depends on large tree hollows for breeding. Climate change poses additional pressure by altering the phenology of its wasp host species, disrupting the precise timing required for successful parasitic development.
Where does wespreus live?
wespreus occurs in Åland Islands, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Belarus, and Belgium (plus 35 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to wespreus?
The main threats to wespreus are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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