Cheilosia praecox is a Palearctic hoverfly. Speight et al. (1998) indicate that the correct name for this species is C.urbana (Meigen).
Description It is similar to Cheilosia psilophthalma and related species.Van der Goot, V.S. (1981) De zweefvliegen van Noordwest - Europa en Europees Rusland, in het bijzonder van de Benelux. KNNV, Uitgave no.32: 275pp. Amsterdam.Bei-Bienko, G.Y. & Steyskal, G.C. (1988a) Keys to the Insects of the European Part of the USSR, Volume V: Diptera and Siphonaptera, Part I. Amerind Publishing Co., New Delhi. .Van Veen, M. (2004) Hoverflies of Northwest Europe: identification keys to the Syrphidae. 256pp. KNNV Publishing, Utrecht.addendumCoe, R.L. (1953) Diptera: Syrphidae. Handbks. ident. Br. insects, 10(1): 1-98. R.ent.Soc.London. pdf Fauna EuropaeaPeck, L.V. (1988) Syrphidae. In: Soos, A. & Papp, L. (eds.) Catalogue of Palaearctic Diptera, 8: 11-230. Akad.Kiado, Budapest.
Distribution and biology Its habitat extends from Fennoscandia south to the Iberian peninsula and the Mediterranean basin, from Britain eastwards through central and southern Europe to the Balkans and Turkey, and in North Africa.Fauna Europaea It prefers open places in coniferous and deciduous forest and scrub; grassland, including montane/subalpine grassland.
Flowers visited include white umbellifers, Acer pseudoplatanus, Anemone nemorosa, Buxus, Caltha, Euphorbia, Potentilla, Prunus spinosa, Salix, Taraxacum. It flies in April to June later at higher altitudes and more northerly latitudes. The larva feeds on Hieracium pilosella and Hieracium caespitosum.
References
External links Images representing Cheilosia praecox (as urbana)