Dotted bee-fly  (Bombylius discolor)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Range

Recorded from many counties of southern England with strongholds in Somerset, Dorset, the Isle of Wight and Kent (2). The species underwent a dramatic decline and contraction of range in the 1960s and 1970s (3) but recently has been shown to be expanding its range northwards (2). Outside of Britain, this bee-fly is widely distributed in Europe (3).

You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

Habitat

As the larvae of the dotted bee-fly are parasites of solitary bees, the species can persist only where there are good host populations, typically open areas, with dry, bare soil where the hosts can nest (8). Suitable sites must also provide sufficient nectar-rich flowers for the adults to feed on (3). Typical sites therefore include unimproved pastureland, cliff edges and old quarries (2).

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