A small drone-fly and quite similar to E. arbustorum (the dwarf drone-fly). The small but crisp dark patch on the front edge of the wings (called a stigma) helps to identify this species. It also has a clean and relatively thin black stripe down its face.

• thin, clean black line on face
• small, compact wing stigma
• often pale edges to the tergites
• males hover over the females

It can be found in a wide range of open habitats such as meadows, gardens and wasteland.

It can be seen from April to October, peaking in July and August.

Larvae have been found in farmyard drains and other similarly enriched situations.

Frequent throughout Britain.

Frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.