Description

Wing length 5.5 - 7mm. This species has a metallic thorax that can look green or coppery red. The abdomen is dark, matt black.

Habitat

Marshes, wet meadows and damp woodland rides. The adult flies like meadowsweet and umbellifers. The larvae develop in accumulations of wet rotting vegetation at the edges of ponds.

Status and distribution

Distributed through England and Wales, where it is most frequent, with fewer records from Scotland. It is occasionally found on the reserve.

Best time to see

May to October.