David Element
Wildlife Photography and Digital Video Images
_____________________________________________________________________________________Flies 74 – Golden-tailed Leaf Licker Hoverflies
GOLDEN-TAILED LEAF LICKER HOVERFLY Xylota sylvarum (f)
GOLDEN-TAILED LEAF LICKER HOVERFLY Xylota sylvarum (m)
GOLDEN-TAILED LEAF LICKER HOVERFLY Xylota sylvarum (m)
GOLDEN-TAILED LEAF LICKER HOVERFLY Xylota sylvarum (m)
GOLDEN-TAILED LEAF LICKER
HOVERFLY Xylota sylvarum (m)
GOLDEN-TAILED LEAF LICKER HOVERFLY Xylota sylvarum (m)
GOLDEN-TAILED LEAF LICKER HOVERFLY Xylota sylvarum (m)
GOLDEN-TAILED LEAF LICKER HOVERFLY Xylota sylvarum (m)
GOLDEN-TAILED LEAF LICKER HOVERFLY Xylota sylvarum (f)
GOLDEN-TAILED LEAF LICKER HOVERFLY Xylota sylvarum (f)
·
The Golden-tailed Leaf Licker Hoverfly Xylota sylvarum
is associated with woodland – the larvae are saproxlic, and this fly, the largest
species in the genus, is most likely to be observed at woodland margins, moving
frenetically around the upper surfaces of honeydew-coated leaves and ‘hoovering’
up these sticky, sugary, aphid-excreted secretions with its extendible
mouthparts. The dark leg-markings of Xylota hoverflies are useful for identifying
to species, but be aware that they may not be visible from all angles. These
hoverflies possess excellent eyesight and they are easily disturbed, so a
careful approach will be required by those wishing to photograph them. Several
of the photographs illustrate gravid females.
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