Dasysyrphus venustus

Habitat: Woodland margins

Size: Wing length 7-10mm

Species account: A widespread species which peaks in May and June. The bars on tergites 3 and 4 broaden slightly at the centre to give a hooked appearance. These bars reach the lateral margins of the tergites, helping to distinguish from Dasysyrphus pinastri. The antennae are always at least partly yellow, whereas in D.pinastri and D.friuliensis they are entirely black. D.friuliensis is also larger, with more strongly waisted bars and always has black hairs on the scutellum (these may be black or yellow in venustus).