Sicus ferrugineus
| Sicus ferrugineus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Sicus ferrugineus in copula | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Conopidae |
| Subfamily: | Myopinae |
| Tribe: | Sicini |
| Genus: | Sicus |
| Species: | S. ferrugineus |
| Binomial name | |
| Sicus ferrugineus (Linnaeus, 1761) | |
| Synonyms | |
Sicus ferrugineus is a species of fly from the genus Sicus in the family Conopidae. It is common throughout much of Europe.
The body is mainly reddish-brown or yellow-brown. The head is yellow, quite large and inflated-looking, with a kind of bubble at the front, narrow cheeks and short antennae. The large eyes are reddish. When in resting position the abdomen is usually folded forward.
The adults grow up to 8–13 millimetres (0.31–0.51 in) long and can be encountered from May through September, feeding on nectar or pollen of various Asteraceae species (Hieracium pilosella, Thistle Cirsium species, etc.), Apiaceae species, Parsley Petroselinum sp.) and Rosaceae species, (Blackberries Rubus sp.).
Their larvae are endoparasites of bumble bees of the genus Bombus (B. lapidarius, B. terrestris, B. hortorum, B. pascuorum, etc.). They pupate and overwinter in their victims.
References
- ↑ Smith, K.G.V. (1969). Diptera: Conopidae. Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects. 10 pt 3a. Royal Entomological Society of London. pp. 19 pp.