DESCRIPTION: Up to 12mm in length. A stunning and boldly marked hoverfly best recognised by the yellow face, the thorax that is black with yellow sides and with two longitudinal stripes, the scutellum that is black with a yellow border and the abdomen that sports yellow bars that gently curve upwards towards the centre.  The wing veins are dull orange and there is a dark cloud near the stigma. BEHAVIOUR: Adults visit various umbellifers and thistles and males hover in loose swarms. DISTRIBUTION: Found mainly in southern Britain with a more scattered distribution up to south-west Scotland. HABITAT: Found in rough grassland, unkempt hedgerows, rough woodland glades and open scrubby areas. PERIOD: On the wing from May through to September.