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Bog Hoverfly

Bog Hoverfly (Eristalis cryptarum) Male © Steven Falk

The Bog Hoverfly (Eristalis cryptarum) is a rare hoverfly that has been identified in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP) as a priority species for conservation action.  Since the middle of the 20th century the Bog Hoverfly’s range has contracted, for unknown reasons, and it is only now found at a few sites on Dartmoor, Devon.

 

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Quick Facts:

  • Name of Project:  Bog Hoverfly
  • Duration of Project: July 2012 – October 2012
  • Location of Project:  Dartmoor, South Devon.  This project focused on six sites on Dartmoor. These included Bartons (previously known as Smoothmoor), Grendon Farm, Buckland Common, Bonehill Down, Pizwell and Challacombe Farm.)
  • Species benefiting from Project: This project consisted of a study to confirm the status and distribution of the Bog Hoverfly, ecological research on adult and larval ecology with the view to develop an informed conservation strategy for the species.
  • Project supported by: People’s Trust for Endangered Species through their invertebrate internships programme, and was in partnership with Dartmoor National Park Authority.

There are historic records of the Bog Hoverfly from Hampshire (latest records dated from 1938), Dorset (last recorded in 1938), Somerset (last records from 1951) and Cornwall (last recorded in 1947). The last in-depth survey on Dartmoor was conducted in 2008 (Walters, J., 2008).  At present (in 2012) little is known about the larval and adult ecology of the Bog Hoverfly; knowledge of both is essential for completing successful surveys and developing effective conservation measures.

An urgent need to study this species ecology, so as to integrate species conservation into landscape scale conservation initiatives, was recognised.  By studying this species’ ecology, as with many species, we can better target habitat management to enhance populations and prevent any further decline.

The main aims of this project were:

  • to confirm the status and distribution of the Bog Hoverfly through site survey
  • to conduct a study of adult and larval ecology
  • to develop an informed conservation strategy based on findings.

Please see the 2012 Project Report for further details about the survey, findings and recommendations.

This project was supported by the People’s Trust for Endangered Species through their invertebrate internships programme, and was in partnership with Dartmoor National Park Authority.

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