DESCRIPTION:  Up to 14mm in length. A smart looking Robber-Fly best distinguished by the reddish-orange front legs and the black, shiny rear legs.  The sides of the thorax bear silvery V-shape markings known as 'shimmer stripes' and the upper area of the thorax is glossy with vague longitudinal stripes. The head is black which bears hard piercing mouthparts. A key feature of this insect is the well-developed tubercle at the base of the antennae. BEHAVIOUR: Adults are somewhat slow moving and like to perch on herbaceous plants whilst waiting to carry out an attack on chosen prey such as Parasitic Wasps, Sawflies and Empidid Flies. The eggs are dropped whilst sitting on a leaf, one at a time. DISTRIBUTION: Common and widespread in the southern half of Britain. Much less common in the north. HABITAT: Best seen in and around scrubby areas and woodland. PERIOD: On the wing from May until July.