Pipizella virens

Range & Status

Widespread, but very local in southern England north to Yorkshire, although it can be abundant where it occurs. About 20 known post-1960 sites.

Regional Distribution

Recorded from west Cornwall only, with post-1980 sites on The Lizard (1981), at Marazion, near Penhale and at Constantine Bay. Previously in the Penhale and Newquay areas between 1906 and 1935.

Habitat & Ecology

Occurs in various habitats including woods, coastal marshes and dry grassland. The adults fly between May and July; the larvae are associated with root aphids on Umbelliferae.

Threats

Mis-management or loss of grass and coastal marshland.

Conservation

The recent records are from the Lizard National Nature Reserve or from National Trust land managed for invertebrate conservation.