Description

Wing length 7.5 - 8.5mm. This species has a strongly protruding mouth and red eyes. The thorax is shiny brown and the abdomen has three pairs of orange-yellow spots, broadly separated by black. The male has the front tarsi flattened in a disk-like shape.

Habitat

Woodland edge and hedgerows. The adults visit crucifers such as Hedge Mustard and Cuckoo Flower, although a range of flowers attract them. Little is known about the larvae.

Status and distribution

Widespread and common throughout much of England, local in the West Country and Wales and rare in Scotland. In Nottinghamshire it can be locally abundant and at Netherfield Lagoons it is a common hoverfly.

Best time to see

May to September.