Long Hoverfly - Sphaerophoria scripta

The male is readily identifiable as its body is longer than the wings, though the pattern of black and yellow is variable with a darker form fairly frequent. Females however cannot be readily identified.

males, females

Open grassland and urban wasteland.

Found from April to November, peaking in July and August.

The larvae feed on ground-layer aphids. Migrants probably add to the British population in some years.

Common over much of Britain, though less so in the north.

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland.