Pellucid Fly

Pellucid Fly - Volucella pellucens

Description

Sometimes called the Pellucid Hoverfly, this is one of the largest flies in Britain. It has a striking ivory-white band across its middle and large dark spots on its wings.

Similar Species

Leucozona lucorum has similar bands but is smaller with an orange scutellum.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Well wooded hedgerows, woods and copses where it favours Bramble flowers and umbellifers.

When to see it

May to October peaking June and July.

Life History

Its larvae live in the nests of social wasps and bumblebees, eating waste products and the bee larvae.

UK Status

Common throughout Britain.

VC55 Status

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland.

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