Description

Over all length 4 to 5mm. A small grey and black fly with huge red eyes. The thorax is grey with a black patch near the head. The scutellum is black and there are round black spots on the brownish abdomen.

Habitat

Woodland edge and hedgerows. The adults can be seen basking on leaves or feeding on umbellifers such as hogweed. The larvae live on cow-dung.

Status and distribution

Widespread in England and Wales but less so in Scotland where it is mainly coastal. Fairly common in Nottinghamshire and at Netherfield Lagoons.

Best time to see

May, October and November.