Ferdinandea aurea is a nice looking syrphid that combines broad golden with narrow black stripes on the abdomen. The thorax is black with two grey bars on the middle and two shorter ones on the sides. The wings display a defined pattern of dark spots. Ferdinandea aurea displays on its yellowish face a brownish longitudinal band from the mouth to the antennae that discriminates it from other species of the genus. Ferdinandea aurea flies from the beginning of May until autumn, feeding on the nectar of flowers in evergreen oak forests and surroundings. On the other hand, the larvae develop in wounds into the roots and cavities of the evergreen oak trees, feeding on decaying organic matter.
[photo Xavier Adot]