Epuraea aestiva (Linnaeus, 1758)

This is the most widespread and generally common member of the genus; it is Holarctic in distribution and extends above the Arctic Circle in both the Old and New Worlds, it is abundant throughout Europe and Asia Minor and occurs sporadically on the Mediterranean and Atlantic islands but is absent from North Africa. Here it is abundant cross England and Wales though less so in the West Country and the north, and there are scattered records throughout Scotland, including the Western Isles, and in Northern Ireland. Adults are present year-round although they tend to disappear during the summer, they are said to overwinter exclusively in subterranean mammal nests and in the UK they have been recorded from Mole nests while in Europe from those of Mole, Marmot and Hamster. The usual habitats are scrub, woodland and wooded parkland and grassland but they are very common early in the year and might also be expected from gardens and other disturbed areas, this is typical of the UK but in northern Europe they can also be abundant in extensive Pine and Birch woodland. Larvae are unusual, although not unique as several other members of the genus  e.g. E. melina Erichson, 1843 share this lifestyle, as they develop in spring and early summer in subterranean insect nests, especially those of bumblebees, and they are thought to detritivores. Adults become active very early in the year and often appear on the first Sloe blossom (Prunus spinosa L.) in February before other shrubs and trees come into leaf, they soon become common and will be found on a range of herbaceous and woody plants as they come into flower but large numbers usually occur on fresh Hawthorn foliage during April, just before the blossom appears. Adults peak in abundance During May and June and at this time large numbers, including many mating pairs, will be found on flowers anywhere but particularly on Hawthorn blossom.  New generation adults appear in early summer, they do not breed but may remain active into late summer or aestivate during the warmest months and reappear later before they enter the ground to overwinter. Sampling is easiest by beating or sweeping flowers and blossom but adults are likely to occur regularly when working grassland and hedgerows etc and they frequently occur in numbers in flight-interception traps.