About Blera fallax (Linnaeus, 1758)
Blera fallax, commonly known as the pine hoverfly or roodkapje, is a rare hoverfly species that is normally associated with mature pine trees in Northern and Central Europe.
This species occurs across northern and central Eurasia, ranging from central Scandinavia eastward to Siberia and Japan, and it also has a relict population in Scotland. At lower latitudes, Blera fallax is typically found in mountain forests that contain more pine and spruce, and it can even occur as far up as subalpine dwarf mountain pine (Pinus mugo) forests. It prefers pine forests, especially those dominated by Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), but can also be found in forests with other pine species and spruce (Picea) that have high humidity and rotting dead timber.
