Description

Body length 4mm. A small brown fly with some impressive bristles on its thorax.

Habitat

Wetlands with tall emergent plants. The adults catch small flies to eat. The larvae feed in mud on micro-organisms.

Status and distribution

Fairly common and widespread throughout southern Britain. Less common further north and restricted to the lowlands in Scotland. Fairly common in Nottinghamshire and at Netherfield Lagoons.

Best time to see

May to September.