Description

Over all length 8 - 9mm. A house fly with a very strongly marked thorax in grey and black. The abdomen of the female is grey with dark markings while that of the male is brown with dark markings and a pale tip.

Habitat

Hedgerows and woodland edge. Frequently seen feeding on umbellifers. The larvae feed on the larvae of some hoverflies and craneflies in leaf litter or muddy pools.

Status and distribution

Well distributed throughout Britain with a denser population in Wales. Very common in Nottinghamshire and at Netherfield Lagoons.

Best time to see

May to September.