DESCRIPTION: Wing length 5.25 - 8.5mm.   One of those little hoverflies that can be easily overlooked or passed off as a Xylota species. The key is the overall build, the blackish wings, the orange band on the abdomen that covers tergites 2 - 4 and the modified metatarsus of the male's front and middle legs that have an inward protuberance. BEHAVIOUR: Adults fly between herbage and the larvae are probable feeders on ground layer aphids. DISTRIBUTION: Widespread throughout Britain but never found in large numbers. HABITAT: Wetlands, lushly-vegetated water margins, damp meadows and damp woodland rides and clearings. PERIOD: May to October.