Sphaerophoria interrupta (Fabricius 1805)
Family: Syrphidae
Wingspan: 4.75 to 6.5mm.
Adult Flight April till early October (in the south)
The markings of S. interrupta are variable. (Mainly due to temperatures while the larvae are developing).
The male’s body is more elongated than the females, also as with most hoverfly species, the males eyes are closer at the crown.
A widespread and common species throughout the UK and also across most of Europe. Although it is mainly a migratory in many northern countries of Europe and Scotland.
Habitat: Waste grounds, grasslands, flower rich meadows, hedgerows, gardens and parks; seems to prefer damper conditions.
Larvae being Aphidophagous, they feed mainly on aphids, the adults feed on the nectar and pollen from a wide variety of flowering plants. (Asteraceae, Galeopsis tetrahit and Heracleum sphondylium, are some of the favourite flowering plants visited).