Description

Over all length 7mm. A small soldier fly, boldly marked in black and yellow.

Habitat

Woodland edge and hedgerows in open sunny conditions. The adults frequently rest on leaves and the larvae feed in moss and mud in seepages and springs, wet mud around ponds and ditches.

Status and distribution

Local and thinly dispersed over much of southern Britain, though mostly coastal in Wales. Uncommon in Nottinghamshire and recorded twice at Netherfield Lagoons.

Best time to see

June to August.