DESCRIPTION: Wing length 5.5 to 7mm.  The defining feature of this smart but subtle hoverfly is the the broad belt of dusting across the face which sometimes can be quite worn. Males are somewhat elongate with green to copper coloured sides to the abdomen. The top of the thorax is similarly coloured. The top of the abdomen is matt black. Females are stockier with a short, oval abdomen that is somewhat bluish on top. Both sexes sport a pair of grey stripes on the front of the thoracic dorsum. BEHAVIOUR: Has a preference for umbellifers and Meadowsweet. DISTRIBUTION: Frequent throughout most of the UK where habitat is appropriate, although scarcer in Scotland. HABITAT: Marshy areas and fens with nearby tree cover. PERIOD: May to October.