Scientific name: Scaeva Pyrastri     Common name: Pied Hoverfly

About:

This species of hoverfly is not abundant nor should it be expected to be seen every year in the UK. Due to being a migrant species you may see this species lots some years and barely at all others. This means that the further North you go , in the UK, the less likely you will be to encounter any of this species. 

Key Information:

Size: 11-15mm

Habitat: Grasslands

When to see: May to September

Family: Syrphidae

Order: Diptera

Biological Rank: Species

Fun Fact: When first hatched this species in what is considered the larvae period of their life and during this time they can consume up to 500 small bugs such as green flies

How to Identify:

This type of hoverfly , although similar to many of its cousin species, has a distinctive colour scheme. This hoverfly has a completely black abdomen with a few sets of white curved lines across the back .  Its face is white with the eyes and other features appearing black and its  legs often appears as yellow.