Description

Body length 12.5 to 14.5mm. A broad-bodied Soldierfly, with short antennae. The abdominal tergites have variable orange markings on them.

Habitat

Mostly grazing marshes with broad well vegetated ditches. The larvae are aquatic.

Status and distribution

Thinly dispersed across southern Britain. Rare in Nottinghamshire and recorded once at Netherfield Lagoons. There have recently been a few records in the Trent Valley which might indicate a small, local population.

Best time to see

April to July - peaking in June.