DESCRIPTION: Wing length 7 - 9.5mm. An elongate species with an orange-red belt on a black abdomen, pale front and mid legs and a golden appearance to the dark thorax. The male has a distinctive long spur on the underside of the hind trochanter, a unique feature to this species. Both sexes have a row of erect black spines on the ventral side of the hind femur. BEHAVIOUR: A species that scuttles back and forth over leaf surfaces where its feeds on pollen and honeydew. Occasionally it can be seen feeding on flowers especially umbellifers and buttercups. The larvae live in decaying wood timber or rotting wood debris but can be found in rotten vegetable matter and decomposing silage. DISTRIBUTION: Widespread and abundant throughout the British Isles. PERIOD: March to October. |
