DESCRIPTION: Wing length 8 - 11.5mm. A local drone-fly that has a few similar species to take into consideration before a final identification is made.  Here we have a black short, broad abdomen with orange triangular markings (which can be variable), a face that has a black stripe running down its centre and wings that have the typical wing loop through R4+5 and a distinctive narrow area of clouding through the middle. BEHAVIOUR:The adult flies feed on pollen and nectar and have a preference for umbellifers. The larvae are detritus feeders. DISTRIBUTION: Local throughout becoming scarcer towards the north. HABITAT: Hedgerows, woodland margins and other heavily vegetated areas. PERIOD: April to October.