Chrysotoxum octomaculatum

Description

Chrysotoxum festivum is a species of hoverfly which inhabits clearings within scrub woodland and deciduous forest ranging from Fernoscandia to Northern Africa. Larvae have an associated with Lasius niger, as described by Speight (1976). Flight period from May to Septembers, peaking June/August. An array of flowers are visited including: Calluna, Chaerophyllum, Cirsium arvense, Euphorbia, Galium, Hieracium, Hypochoeris, Narthecium, Origanum, Potentilla erecta, Ranunculus, Rosa rugosa, Rubus idaeus, Sambucus nigra, Senecio, Solidago canadensis, S.virgaurea.