Superb…

Superb dayglower hover fly (Xanthogramma pedissequum) on wild carrot (Dorcas carrota) flower. ‘Superb dayglower’ - that’s a proper name!

This is considered an uncommon insect in our area, but spreading north.

Superb dayglower on wild carrot

Its life is a complicated one.

Black garden ant (Lasius niger) and yellow meadow ant (Lasius flavus) attend and ‘farm’ underground the root aphids Forda formicaria and Trama species that they collect.

Superb dayglower hover fly larvae have been found underground in nests of black and yellow ants where one assumes they would be challenged by the protective ants.. But they feed on the ants, pupate and emerge..

Are they carried as larvae into the ant nests in the way of chalkhill blue butterflies and fed..?

No-one knows.

Intriguing but beautiful insect reminding us of the complexity of nature.