Hawksbeard Fly

Tephritis matricariae

Description

Over all length 5mm. The head and body are brownish and the wigs patterned with grey.

Habitat

Meadows, open spaces and brownfield sites where Hawksbeard grows. The larvae form galls in the flower-heads.

Status and distribution

Thinly distributed across southern England. Uncommon in Nottinghamshire and recorded once at Netherfield Lagoons.

Best time to see

March to September.