Description

Wing length 5.5 - 8.5mm. This is a dark hoverfly with the male having extensive orange on the abdomen, the female slightly less. The male has flattened front and mid tarsi, the front tarsi also having a spiky forward projection.

Habitat

Well vegetated ditches and marshy areas. The larvae are undiscribed.

Status and distribution

Common in suitable habitat throughout Britain. In Nottinghamshire it is not well recorded but has occurred twice at Netherfield Lagoons.

Best time to see

May to October.