DESCRIPTION: Wing length 8 to 10.25 mm.  A small and stocky hoverfly with a yellow face that sports a wide longitidubal band. The thorax is black with two pale-grey lines and the globular abdomen is also black marked with a serires of gently curved yellow bars. One of the key ID features are the antennae with segment 3 found to be much longer than segments 1 and 2 combined. BEHAVIOUR: The larvae are thought to feed on root aphids associated with ant colonies. In flight this species is an excellent wasp mimic. DISTRIBUTION: Widespread in a line North-West of the Severn and the Humber. HABITAT: Woodland and moorland areas are preferred especially if in uplnad locations. PERIOD: May to September peaking in June.