The Devon Globetail Hoverfly is a dainty black and yellow-banded hoverfly that is known from just six sites in the UK. Four of these sites, Beaford Moor SSSI and Common Moor (East Putford) SSSI in north Devon, a site on the flanks of Cosdon Hill on Dartmoor (near South Zeal, Okehampton), and Gotleigh Moor on the border with Somerset in the Blackdown Hills. The remaining two sites are nearby moors in mid-Cornwall. Although the hoverfly is found elsewhere in north-western Europe, it’s considered rare throughout its range and is considered vulnerable to extinction, making every population significant.
The species is very hard to identify unless it is examined under a microscope as there are a number of other very similar species.
The Devon Globetail Hoverfly lives in wet, acid spring-line mires and wet species-rich purple-moor grass (Molinia) pastures. It seems to prefer areas with tussocky purple moor grass and wet streams and channels with some scattered shrubs and trees. Adults feed on Heath Tormentil flowers and larvae are likely to feed on aphids. Threats may include heavy cattle grazing, scrub invasion and winter burning, although more research into its precise habitat requirements is needed. Given the hoverfly’s preference for very wet conditions, climate change may also be a threat as it continues to cause more frequent and more severe summer droughts.
For more detailed information see the LNRS profile for Devon Globetail Hoverfly in Find Out More.
Actions
Manage and restore a network of wet, species-rich purple-moor grass and mires in particular maintaining tall patches of purple moor grass clumps with wet streams and channels flowing through them. See Heath, moor and mire mosaics for more details on this habitat.
Survey and monitor existing sites and undertake more research to understand this species. Raise awareness of the Devon Globetail Hoverfly and its needs, in particular among land managers.
Where to focus action
High Opportunity Areas: Dartmoor Rhos Pasture, North Devon Culm, East Devon Spring-Line Mires, species rich rush-pasture (existing). See the four Devon Globetail Hoverfly zones mapped as a Species Opportunity Area to help guide action. See Mapping.