Marmalade Hoverfly

Male Marmalade Hoverfly collecting nectar from the spurge flower (Euphorbia helioscopia)

 

Euphorbia helioscopia (Madwoman's Milk / Sun Spurge)

It is a species of spurge native to most of Europe including British Isles.

 

Marmalade Hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus)

A relatively small hoverfly (9–12 mm) make up the insect family Syrphidae, widespread throughout all continents. As their common name suggests, they are often seen hovering or nectaring at flowers. Although they look rather like bees or solitary wasps, they are not at all harmful to humans because they have no sting. The adults of many species feed mainly on nectar and pollen, while the larvae eat a wide range of foods including Aphids.

The upper side of the abdomen is patterned with orange and black bands. Another identification character is the presence of secondary black bands on the 3rd and 4th dorsal plates. As in most other hoverflies, males can be easily identified by their holoptic eyes, i.e., left and right compound eyes touching at the top of the head. Class: Pterygota – insects; Order: Diptera – true flies.

Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Episyrphus_balteatus

 

Spring Watch, London

Done