WildBristol.uk - Discovering Wildlife in Bristol

Widespread and fairly frequent throughout the South up to Cumbria. It was one rare, but since the year 2000 it has spread rapidly. Habitat includes: woodland, hedge banks, churchyards, allotments etc. Diet: Pollen / Nectar from Thistles, Bluebell, Devil's-bit Scabious. Flight period: April to October (Peaks August to September). Body length: 7 to 10 mm, Wing length: 7.5 to 9.5 mm. Wingspan: 11 to 16 mm. Life story: Larvae primarily develop primarily in deer / badger dung (also cow dung) with eggs laid on foliage close to the dung. They also breed in highly eutrophic hoverfly water sources.