Volucella pellucens, Pellucid Hoverfly

Common Name: Pellucid Hoverfly

If you see a very large black hoverfly with most of tergite 2 white, and dark spots on its wings, then it can only be Volucella pellucens, sometimes called the Pellucid Hoverfly. Most districts throughout Britain and Ireland are likely to harbour this species, especially about woods and copses.

It is one of the characteristic species to be found on bramble flowers, although it is seen on other flowers too, such as umbellifers. Males are often seen hovering several metres above the ground in woodland glades or beside trees, the white tergite 2 being sufficiently translucent to be seen from below.

Adults on the wing from May to October, peaking in June and July. Its larvae live in the nests of social wasps and bumblebees, eating waste products and the bee larvae.

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