Description

Over all length 8 - 9mm. They have bright metallic green eyes with dark red spots. The abdomen has twin black lobes on the second segment and the wings have a dark leading edge and dark bands across them.

Habitat

Wet marshes and bogs that are well shaded. The Lower Path at the reserve is a popular site for them. The females will find you. The adult females feed on mammalian blood, from large herbivores like horses or cattle, but will not decline human blood. The males feed on nectar, whilst the larvae predate other invertebrates in wet soil.

Status and distribution

Common and well distributed throughout Britain. Common on the reserve.

Best time to see

May to mid-September.