Order: Diptera (True Flies) » Family: Syrphidae (Hoverflies) » Species: Syrphus ribesii (Linnaeus, 1758)
Length 16 mm. A distinctive black and yellow banded hoverfly, with a yellow face and slender body. It maybe confused with Syrphus vitripennis. There are three generations per year, and they overwinter as cold-tolerant larvae. The larvae are avid predators of aphids, whilst the adults feed on nectar and are very important pollinators. Seen April to November, and found almost anywhere, including gardens. Common and widespread.
Photos: Back garden, South Staffordshire. © Peter Hillman. Species confirmed by iRecord.
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