About Scaeva selenitica (Meigen, 1822)
Scaeva selenitica is a large, distinctive species of hoverfly. Adults reach a body length of 12–15 millimetres (0.47–0.59 in), with a wing length of 10.5–12 millimetres (0.41–0.47 in). Individuals have sparse, fine, light-colored hair. Their thorax is shiny black, the scutellum is yellowish-green, and the abdomen is dark black. The middle sections of the legs are light brown-yellow, while the femurs and feet are darker. The abdomen has three pairs of yellow comma-shaped lunule markings. This species is similar to Scaeva pyrastri, but differs in that its abdominal markings are larger and yellow; the abdominal markings of Scaeva pyrastri are white. Scaeva selenitica occurs across most of Europe, the eastern Palearctic realm, the Near East, and North Africa. It can be found living in meadows and hedge rows.
