Cylindromyia bicolor (Olivier, 1812)

Scientific name: Cylindromyia bicolor (Olivier, 1812)
Common name:
French name:
Order: Diptera
Family: Tachinidae
Wingspan : 11-14 mm.
Biotope: Meadows, waste lands, woodland edges, marshes, parks and gardens.
Geographic area: Southern Europe but extending northwards.
Observation period : July to October.

Cylindromyia bicolor shows, as indicated by its scientific name, an elongated and cylindrical shaped abdomen. It is a dark red colour to the tip and bears a black dorsal marking starting from the thorax and ending about at mid-length with a pointed end. You can also see long erected setae, mainly close to the tip.
The thorax is blackish grey, the legs are black.
The wings are slightly orange at the base and then translucent.
Adults feed on pollen and nectar.
Larvae parasite Pentatomidae shield bugs including Rhaphigaster nebulosa.
All the other similar species show a black abdomen tip.


Cylindromyia bicolor - Saône-et-Loire, France - June 29th 2014
[To know more about the Cylindromyia bicolor]    [Next picture]    [Top]
Cylindromyia bicolor
Cylindromyia bicolor is an easy insect species to identify.



Cylindromyia bicolor - Saône-et-Loire, France - June 29th 2014
[To know more about the Cylindromyia bicolor]    [Previous picture]    [Top]
Cylindromyia bicolor
Side view.

[Top]    Site map    André Bon March 2019