Murky-legged Black Legionnaire - Beris chalybata

5-6mm. Males and females are noticeably different.

Beris, as a genus, can generally be recognised by having 6 spines projecting from the scutellum (Four spines in Choriceps, however occasionally variants can have 5).

Males (eyes touching) have a dark green thorax, smoky wings and very hairy eyes. Males legs are dull yellow-brown but with dark tarsi and an inflated hind basitarsus.

Females (eyes widely separated) have a brighter glossy green thorax and clearer wings with a black stigma. Their legs are generally yellow with dark tarsi.

There are 6 British species in the Beris genus and these can usually be distinguished by the combination of abdomen and leg colours. See ID Aids below.

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required. If the photo doesn't show the key ID features then in the comments box describe the size and identifying characters you have observed.

Flying, or resting, on sunlit leaves in bushes, hedges or other flowering plants.

Early summer.

It feeds on pollen and nectar and sometimes also on the substrate of rotten plants. Females lay eggs individually on rotting plants. The larvae overwinter. They pupate in spring, in a hardened larval skin. The adult flies leave this through a T-shaped slit.

Fairly frequent and widespread in Britain.

Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland