Platycheirus manicatus

Common Name: N/A

Platycheirus manicatus is one of a pair of yellow-spotted Platycheirus species with a strongly protruding mouth, the front legs of the male with only tarsal segments 1 and 2 enlargened, and the fore tibiae unmodified. Compared with the other Platycheirus species (P. tarsalis), the thorax is duller and paler, the abdominal spots are yellower and the spots on tergite 2 are less separated from the hind margin of the segment. The female frons is very heavily dusted throughout, even on the vertex. Both sexes are more broadly built than P. tarsalis.

This is a widespread and common species found in a variety of habitats but perhaps especially drier grasslands. It flies from spring to early autumn but peaks in summer. The relatively long mouthparts allow it to feed on tubular flowers such as Ground-ivy and Bluebell. The larvae are aphidophagous on low herbage and shrubs, but little seems to be known of their precise requirements.

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