Cheilosia pagana

One of the smallest Cheilosia. The female has an exceptionally large, orange coloured, third antennal segment. The males often have strong reflective grey triangles on the sides of the abdomen. They have bare arista and the female has an entirely black scutellum.

Varied habitats both woodland and open often on early flowering plants such as Blackthorn, and on umbellifers.

March to October peaking May/June and August.

Larvae have been found in the roots of Cow Parsley but may also use other umbellifers.

This is a common species throughout Britain though less so in the north.

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland.