DESCRIPTION: Body length up to 11mm. A beautiful Stilletto Fly with the males of a silvery-grey colour and sporting a bare face. Females have a black abdomen with silvery-grey patches along the sides of the tergites. BEHAVIOUR: The larvae develop in the exposed sand and shingle of meandering rivers. Adults like to rest on sun-soaked foliage. DISTRIBUTION: Scarce in southern Britain and possibly spreading northward. HABITAT: Found near exposed sand and shingle river deposits that are partially shaded by trees.  PERIOD: Best seen June to August.