Episyrphus balteatus

Episyrphus balteatus, sometimes called the marmalade hover fly, is a relatively small hover fly (9-12 mm) of the Syrphidae family. Like most hover flies, it mimics a much more dangerous insect, the wasp, though it is a quite harmless species.

The upper side of the abdomen is patterned with orange and black bands. Two further identification characters are the presence of secondary black bands on the third and fourth dorsal plates and faint greyish longitudinal stripes on the thorax.

The Marmalade Fly gets its name from its orange colour, with different sized bands: thin cut, thick cut, just like marmalade!

It is among the very few species of flies capable of crushing pollen grains and feeding on them.