Chrystotoxum elegans – one of nature's gardeners

Description Medium-sized hoverfly. Ecology Hoverflies feed mostly in pollen or nectar and so are commonly seem hovering around flowers. Their larvae prey on aphids and other plant sucking insects, and can therefore be useful to farmers and gardeners in controlling pests. It is thought that the larva develop in ant-nests where they feed on root aphids. Adults recorded from May to September and may be found visiting the flowers of umbels, shrub blossom such as elder or sunbathing on foliage. Males may be found hovering in loose swarms above grassland at a height of 3 to 4 ft. Distribution This species prefers dry, open grassland and is mainly found around the south-west coastal peninsula and south-west Wales. • Name the other species by clicking on the links on the right-hand side or the previous and next buttons at the top of the page