Description

Over all length 8 - 13mm. A strange-looking, brown and yellow fly that curves its abdomen beneath it as it sits on a leaf.

Habitat

Woodland edge and hedgerows. The adults are often seen on flowers. They are bee-parasites and lay their eggs on bumblebees and some species of mining bees and has been seen at the lagoons grabbing a Conops quadrifasciatus and, on another occasion, tracking Figwort Sawflies, Tenthredo schrophulariae.

Status and distribution

Quite common and distributed through most of Britain, although it keeps to the lowlands in Scotland. Common on the reserve.

Best time to see

May to September.