Cheilosia caerulescens

Cheilosia caerulescens

Alternative names
Houseleek Cheilosia
Description

It is a bare-eyed, bluish-grey Cheilosia with pale knees and distinct smudges over the two cross veins of the wings. The lower face is rather strongly protruding, the third antennal segment is brownish-red and the antennal pits are fused.

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required. If the photo doesn't show the key ID features then in the comments box describe the size and identifying characters you have observed.

Habitat

Associated with houseleeks and likely to occur in gardens where the larval foodplant is present.

When to see it

Late spring to early autumn.

Life History

The larvae mine the leaves of houseleeks (non-native garden plants) and it is presumed that the fly was introduced accidentally with imported plants.

UK Status

A recent British colonist that was first recorded in 2006 from Surrey and currently spreading across southern England to Derbyshire by 2018 and VC55 in 2019.

VC55 Status

Rare in Leicestershire and Rutland but may be moving into our area.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Additional images

All NatureSpot records