|
Volucella zonaria recorded for the first time in Shropshire. September 2006 A local resident has contacted the Shropshire Invertebrates Group with a photo of a large yellow and black hoverfly - Volucella zonaria. This is Britain's largest hoverfly and until quite recently it was considered something of a rarity, more or less restricted to the London area. This spectacular hoverfly is easily identified, being such an large hoverfly, with chestnut brown and yellow markings on the abdomen. It is often seen at the flowers of Buddleia and later in the season at ivy. The Shropshire record is from the Belle Vue district in Shrewsbury on 8 September. As far as SIG are aware this is the first time this hoverfly has been recorded in Shropshire. Shropshire residents should watch for this hoverfly on ivy, as this species is strongly migratory in habit and there could well be more specimens in the county. Update: A second Volucella zonaria was seen in Castlefied, Shrewsbury in September 2008. |
 The
first Shropshire Volucella zonaria.Photo by Phil Pickin info@photo-grafix.co.uk |