DESCRIPTION: Wing length up to 8 - 10.5mm. Males (as shown above) are covered in brownish-ginger hairs with black hairs at the side of the face and across the clypeus. The abdomen appears banded with black. Females are paler with orange pollen brushes on the black hind tibiae. BEHAVIOUR: Males fly quickly over bare areas of soil and have a preference for landing on Dandelions. Other flowers visited include Willows, Gorse, Blackthorn and Umbellifers. DISTRIBUTION: Well distributed throughout southern England and Wales becoming more localised further north with only scattered records from Scotland. HABITAT: Dry areas with sandy soil, woodland edges and heathland are particularly favoured. PERIOD: April to June with a second generation in July and August. |
