Philhelius citrofasciatus is a species of hoverfly found in grasslands from Ireland to western Siberia. The larvae live in Lasius ant colonies where they feed on the aphids tended by the ants.[1][2] Prior to 2018, it was known under the genus name Xanthogramma, a junior synonym.[3]
Description
External images
For terms see Morphology of Diptera Wing length 6·5–10·25 mm. Legs yellow coxae and trochanters black. Femora and tibiae 3 completely pale. Yellow marks on tergite 2 linear (not equilateral triangles). Tergites 2–4 with subequal yellow marks.
See references for determination.[4][5][6][7]
Habitat.Italy
Distribution
Palearctic. South Norway to Iberia. Ireland East through Central Europe and South Europe into European Russia and Yugoslavia and the Caucasus, then to Siberia.[8][9]
References
^Stubbs, Alan E. & Falk, Steven J. (1983). British Hoverflies: An Illustrated Identification Guide. British Entomological & Natural History Society. pp. 253, xvpp.
^Evenhuis NL. Nomenclatural studies toward a World List of Diptera genus-group names. Part VI: Daniel William Coquillett. Zootaxa. 2018 Feb 18;4381(1):1-95. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.4381.1.1. PMID: 29689947
^Van Veen, M. (2004) Hoverflies of Northwest Europe: identification keys to the Syrphidae. 256pp. KNNV Publishing, Utrecht.addendum
^Van der Goot,V.S. (1981) De zweefvliegen van Noordwest - Europa en Europees Rusland, in het bijzonder van de Benelux. KNNV, Uitgave no.32: 275pp. Amsterdam.
^Bei-Bienko, G.Y. & Steyskal, G.C. (1988) Keys to the Insects of the European Part of the USSR, Volume V: Diptera and Siphonaptera, Part I. Amerind Publishing Co., New Delhi. ISBN81-205-0080-6.
^Coe, R.L. (1953) Diptera: Syrphidae. Handbks.ident.Br.insects, 10(1): 1-98. R.ent.Soc.London. pdf
