For Anyone Interested in the Wildlife of the U.K.
Ladybird Flies
Identify It > Fly Section > Ladybird Flies >
Scientific name: Gymnosoma rotundatum
Size: Up to 8mm long
Distribution: Found in Surrey, Sussex and Kent
Months seen: June to September
Habitat: Heathland, Parks, gardens and hedgerows. Often in dry, sandy areas
Food: Nectar. The larvae are parasitic on shieldbugs
Special features: Ladybird flies are a species of Tachinid fly which have an almost spherical abdomen. The abdomen is a dull orange colour and marked with three, round, black spots. The base of the wings are a yellow-brown colour and the thorax has a raised black section behind a golden brown area. The whole fly is sparsely covered in dark hairs.
Ladybird flies are parasitic and lay their eggs on shieldbugs. When they hatch, the larvae bore into the shieldbug and feed of their insides. When they are ready to pupate the larvae bore their way back out and pupate in soil.
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