DESCRIPTION: Up to 12mm in length. An almost robotic-looking insect with an awkward angular body and a highly distinctive white face. The inner cross vein r-m is whitish without the dark spot found in other spring-flying 'bearded' Myopa species and the occiput has 1-4 brown spots. The wings have milky-white patches that help with camouflage when at rest. Males have distinct dust patches on the reddish tergites but these are poorly formed in females. BEHAVIOUR: Larvae are endoparasites of Mining Bees. This species, like most of its relatives tends to wait on or near flowers for their selected host species to arrive. On finding the correct host, they take good hold and pierce the body while in flight, quickly depositing an egg inside. DISTRIBUTION: Frequent throughout Britain become more common towards the North. HABITAT: Woodland, hedgerows and gardens and parks. PERIOD: April to July. |
