Golden Hoverfly Callicera spinolae
The Golden Hoverfly (Callicera spinolae) is one of Britain’s rarest and most striking hoverflies – a large, wasp-like species whose larvae develop in water-filled rot holes in veteran trees, particularly mature poplars and willows. Adults are on the wing in late summer, occasionally visiting flowers near suitable trees. Nationally scarce and highly dependent on the continuity of veteran trees, it requires the presence of ancient and mature trees with well-developed decay cavities. Suffolk’s parkland landscapes, old estates, and veteran hedgerow trees offer potential habitat, and records from the county are of considerable significance to the national picture. Image: © volkmarnix, iNaturalist.
Find out more: iNaturalist, Buglife
Suffolk’s Priority Fly Species
Key
Listed as a conservation priority in Suffolk’s Biodiversity Action Plan.
Closely associated with Suffolk’s landscape and natural identity.
Identified as a key priority for recovery under Suffolk’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
Has a Species of the Month article attached.
