Description

Body length 6.5 to 11mm. A bright, metallic green tachinid that tends to lose the green and become redder as it ages. It is very bristly, especially on the abdomen, unlike green-bottles.

Habitat

Woodland and woodland edge. The males like to sit in the sun and both adults come to flowers for nectar. The larvae are internal parasites of moth larvae, especially noctuids.

Status and distribution

Fairly common and widespread in southern Britain. Fairly common in Nottinghamshire and at Netherfield Lagoons.

Best time to see

April to June.