Pied Hoverfly - Scaeva pyrastri

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Description

A large and conspicuous hoverfly with pairs of upward curving creamy-white bars. Known as the Pied Hoverfly.

Similar Species

Dasysyrphus venustus

Identification difficulty
Habitat

It can be found in gardens, wasteland and meadows.

When to see it

May to November, peaking in August.

Life History

It is thought that few can survive the winter so that each year the breeding population depends on migration from mainland Europe.

UK Status

It is found across much of Britain though like many hoverflies it becomes rarer the further north you go.

VC55 Status

Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland.

  • Paul Ruddoch
    Melton Country Park
    12 July 2015
    female
  • egaten
    Thurlaston garden
    04 August 2004
  • David Nicholls
    Ratby garden1
    30 July 2005
  • Nicky Thompson
    Anglian Water
    25 July 2024
  • Graham Calow
    Dunton Bassett Quarry
    16 July 2015
  • Lorraine Ellison
    Wymeswold garden
    22 July 2015

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species data profile ?

Species profile

Species group:
Hoverflies
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Diptera
Family:
Syrphidae
Records on NatureSpot:
150
First record:
12/07/2004 (Nicholls, David)
Last record:
08/10/2024 (Pugh, Dylan)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.

In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.

Latest images

Latest records

  • Graham Calow
    Footpath off Park Road, Cosby
    28 June 2016
  • Lostash
    Leicester Botanical Gardens
    01 August 2015
  • Graham Calow
    Sapcote garden1
    04 July 2009
  • thebeesknees
    Leicester garden
    17 July 2015
    Scaeva pyrastri (Male)
  • David Gould
    Aylestone Meadows, Leicester.
    08 August 2015
  • HAPeacock
    Leicester Garden
    04 August 2011
  • David Nicholls
    Grand Union Canal, Kilby Bridge
    12 July 2004
    female
  • John Cranfield
    Fleckney garden1
    02 August 2011
  • Paul Ruddoch
    Melton Country Park
    12 July 2015
  • Paul Ruddoch
    Melton Country Park
    12 July 2015
  • Graham Calow
    Dunton Bassett Quarry
    16 July 2015
  • Graham Calow
    Dunton Bassett Quarry
    16 July 2015
  • Graham Calow
    Dunton Bassett Quarry
    16 July 2015