Taxonomy
Eupeodes bucculatus
Distribution
Species Biology
Preferred environment
Riverine gallery forest, alluvial softwood forest of Populus/Salix and mature fen carr of Salix/Betula. In Ireland, E. bucculatus is associated with wetland/freshwater habitats, occurring essentially with Salix scrub along streams and round pools in various situations - fen, bog, deciduous woodland and conifer plantation. The species may well be under-recorded because the first generation adults are on the wing very early in the year (mid-April to mid-May) and the second generation is rather late (mid-August to mid-September). Certainly, given the habitat preferences it exhibits, and the fact that it is well within its climatic range anywhere in Ireland, E. bucculatus might be expected to be more frequent here than available information would indicate it to be.
Adult habitat & habits
Principally arboreal, but descends to visit flowers; in early spring also descends to sun-bathe on clumps of dead grass (e.g. Molinia) beside tracks etc.
Flight period
Flowers visited
Yellow composites; Euphorbia, Narthecium, Salix, Sorbus aucupariae, Stellaria.
Irish reference specimens
In the collections of NMI and UM
Determination
See Key provided in StN Keys volume and Bartsch et al (2009a). This species appears in recent literature under the name E. latilunulatus (Collin). The name bucculatus Rondani was reintroduced for the species by Mazánek et al (1998). Early spring specimens of E. bucculatus are small and extremely similar to the more frequent E. luniger (Mg.), whereas summer specimens can be larger and more closely resemble E. latifasciatus (Macqt.), but E. bucculatus may be separated from these species by careful use of the keys in Dusek and Laska (1976), who also figure the male terminalia (under the name latilunulatus Collin). It can be more difficult to separate E. bucculatus the 2nd basal cell is entirely covered in microtrichia in E. nitens, but partially bare (though sometimes by no more than 5%) in E. bucculatus. The problems that remain in separation of E. bucculatus from E. duseki and E. goeldlini are discussed under the species accounts for those species. The adult insect is illustrated in colour by Torp (1994) and Bartsch et al (2009a).
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
From Norway, Sweden and Denmark south to Portugal; from Ireland eastwards through central Europe to Switzerland. It is also widely, but sparsely, distributed from northern Scandinavia south to mountainous parts of southern Europe. This species appears to be endemic to Europe and is not known from eastern parts of the continent.
Irish distribution
Recorded as occurring in Ireland in Coe (1953), under the name latilunulatus (Collin). The recent segregation of E.duseki, Mazánek, Láska & Bicik and E. goeldlini Mazánek, Láska & Bicik from E. bucculatus (Mazánek et al, 1999) has necessitated re-examination of Irish material of E. bucculatus to establish its identity, a process greatly facilitated by the keys provided by Haarto and Kerppola (2007). This has confirmed the presence in Ireland of both E. bucculatus and E. goeldlini. E. bucculatus is not a frequent species in Ireland, but neither can it be regarded as under threat.
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024
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References
Publications
Speight, M. C. D. (2008) Database of Irish Syrphidae
(Diptera). Irish Wildlife Manuals, No. 36. National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin, Ireland.
Speight, M.C.D. (2014) Species accounts of European
Syrphidae (Diptera), 2014. Syrph the Net, the database of European Syrphidae,
vol. 78, 321 pp., Syrph the Net publications, Dublin.