Marmalade Hover Fly

The Marmalade Hoverfly is one of the most common and easily recognised hoverflies in Britain. It has two black bands on each orange section of its body, creating a clear striped pattern. Adults are 9 to 12 millimetres long, with clear wings and large reddish eyes. Unlike many hoverflies, this species migrates, with groups moving from mainland Europe to Britain in spring and summer. You can find this hoverfly all over the British Isles from March to November. It lives in gardens, hedgerows, woodland edges, and flower-filled meadows. The adults feed on nectar and pollen from many different types of flowers. Their larvae eat large numbers of aphids, which helps control pests naturally. These hoverflies are often seen hovering still in the air before quickly flying off. Although they look like wasps, they are harmless and only mimic bees.