Banded Nettle Fly

Philophylla caesio

Description

Over all length 5 - 5.5mm. This fly has an orange head and eyes, brown thorax and black abdomen. The wings are marked with a pattern of black and white bands.

Habitat

Woodland edge and hedgerows. The larvae are leaf-miners of nettles Urticae

Status and distribution

Thinly distributed across the south of England and Wales. Less common further north.

Best time to see

Late July to September.