Description

Wing length 6 - 9.5mm. The eyes are red, the thorax shiny brown, the scutellum yellow and the abdomen black with yellow markings. This is an early species with two distinct generations, the earlier one being much darker than the second.

Habitat

Normally associated with trees, the adults visit flowers and the larvae feed on aphids on the flowers and stems of umbellifers and some shrubs. It is thought the adult flies might overwinter.

Status and distribution

Mainly in southern and midland England but with fewer records further north up to the Scottish Highlands. Sparsely recorded in Nottinghamshire and not very common at Netherfield Lagoons.

Best time to see

February to December.