Ferdinandea cuprea

Click here to support NatureSpot by making a donation - small or large - your gift is very much appreciated. Thank you.
Description

This species is relatively easy to identify with its often brassy looking abdomen, the grey stripes on its thorax and the two wing 'clouds' (dark marks).

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Woodland and well wooded hedgerows where it likes to sun itself on tree trunks.

When to see it

March to November, peaking in June.

Life History

Larvae have been recorded from sap wounds on the trunks of Oak and Ash. Trees infested by Goat Moth seem to be favoured.

UK Status

Widespread in Britain but rarely common.

VC55 Status

Fairly frequent but not common in Leicestershire and Rutland.

  • Graham Calow
    Sapcote
    08 May 2009
    male
  • David Gould
    Braunstone, Wood Close Plantation
    20 September 2021
    female
  • David Nicholls
    Watermead Country Park
    20 April 2007
    female
  • Ian Harding
    Sheet Hedges Wood
    05 May 2021
  • Graham Calow
    Stoney Stanton
    23 August 2014
  • Graham Calow
    Stoney Stanton
    23 August 2014
  • David Gould
    Braunstone, Wood Close Plantation
    25 May 2019
    male
  • David Nicholls
    Long Close, Woodhouse Eaves
    09 June 2018

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species data profile ?

Species profile

Species group:
Hoverflies
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Diptera
Family:
Syrphidae
Records on NatureSpot:
32
First record:
20/04/2007 (Nicholls, David)
Last record:
08/09/2025 (Alton, John)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.

In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.

Latest images

Latest records

  • Graham Calow
    Stoney Stanton
    23 August 2014
  • Graham Calow
    Burbage Common and Woods
    16 May 2013
  • Graham Calow
    Stoney Stanton
    23 August 2014