One of our most common and widespread hoverflies, this is a very distinctive species that is unlikely to be confused with any other once you are familiar with it. The colouration of the bands on the abdomen can vary greatly, however the unique pattern is not seen in any other species. This colour is influenced by the temperature at which the larvae develop. The marmalade hoverfly overwinters as an adult, a phenomenon seen in few other British species, meaning it can be spotted all year round. This hoverfly is often spotted on umbellifers such as hogweed and cow parsley and numbers may also be boosted in mid-summer by migrating individuals from Europe.
To find out more about our pollinators, come join our Pollinator Festival, August 24-26 2019.