The Marmalade Hoverfly Monitoring Scheme

Welcome to the community monitoring scheme for the marmalade hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus). Help us understand the distribution and flow of this migratory pollinator and biocontrol agent.

Episyrphus is widespread through the Palaearctic region (this includes Europe, North Asia and North Africa). This huge area makes studying its distribution and behaviour extremely challenging. That's why we need you!

In Europe, Episyrphus is known to overwinter in the Mediterranean. It begins a multi-generational spread into northern Europe in the spring before returning south in late summer. Outside of Europe its behaviour is less well characterised but even within Europe many questions remain unanswered.

Keep an eye out for this easy to spot hoverfly and let us know what you saw and when you saw it.

This study forms part of a project from the hoverfly lab at the Centre for Ecology and Conservation at the University of Exeter, UK. For further information please contact k.r.wotton(at)exeter.ac.uk or see http://www.hoverflymigration.com/

For more information on Episyrphus balteatus:
http://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/52482-Episyrphus-balteatus
http://eol.org/pages/750052/details less ↑