Pine hoverfly  (Blera fallax)

Classified as Endangered in Great Britain and listed as a priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (2).

The pine hoverfly is the only hoverfly with a red-tipped black abdomen and a yellow face (3).

This hoverfly is thought to have declined; until very recently it was found in 7 sites (2) but it is now restricted to just two locations in north-east Scotland (4).In Europe, where this species is found in mountainous areas, it is declining and thought to be under threat (2).

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

The pine hoverfly inhabits native pine woods (2), where it breeds in wet rot holes on rotting pine stumps (4).

Little is known of the ecology of this species.

At both of the current sites supporting this species, there are very few suitable pine stumps with rot holes (4). This species is also threatened by unsuitable woodland management, and possibly by over-collection by entomologists(2).

This species is a priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) (2). The RSPB has taken on the role of ‘lead partner’ for this and another rare hoverfly, the aspen hoverfly (Hammerschmidtia ferruginea) since they were found on RSPB-owned sites. With Scottish Natural Heritage, they are funding a programme of work on these species, carried out by the Malloch Society (4). For details of this work please follow the link below.

The UK Biodiversity Action Plan for this species is available at UK BAP.

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

There may be further information about this species available via the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

For more on Diptera species, see:

• The Malloch society:
  http://www.mallochsociety.org.uk/index.php?sn=pr&ssn=sc&id=101

For information on invertebrates and their conservation, see:

• Buglife, the Invertebrate Conservation Trust:
  www.buglife.org.uk