DESCRIPTION: Wing length 5.5 - 8mm. A small black and yellow hoverfly with a black scutellum and obvious chestnut brown eyes. Males have a long abdomen, especially tergites 2 and 3, whilst females have broad dust spots on the frons seperating them from similar species. Both sexes have yellow markings on the black tergites and also have mainly yellow antennae. BEHAVIOUR: Adults often visit wind pollinated flowers. The larva are predators of small insects in leaf litter. DISTRIBUTION: Found throughout Britain. HABITAT: Verdant vegetation in woods, grasslands, hedgerows and gardens. PERIOD: April to November.
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