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 was once seen at the lagoons grabbing a Conops quadrifasciatus .

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.