Description

Over all length 5mm. This species has an orange head and eyes but the thorax and abdomen come in two colour forms and can be brown or black. The wings have a complicated pattern of black and white markings.

Habitat

Damp woodland edge and hedgerow. The larvae mine the leaves of various umbelliferous plants, including Angelica Angelica sylvestris and Hemlock Conium maculatum. Can be an agricultural pest when it attacks Celery and Parsnips.

Status and distribution

Fairly common in Britain with a southerly bias. Regular at the reserve.

Best time to see

April to November.