The only narrow-bodied hoverfly with parallel yellow bands on tergites 3 and 4, which also has triangular spots on tergite 2.

Woodland and well wooded areas.

It can be found from April until November but with numbers peaking in May.

Larvae have been found in association with the aphid Phyllaphis fagi on Beech, and also on Oak, Sycamore and Lime.

Frequent and widespread woodland species in Britain with most records coming from England.

Fairly frequent, but it is perhaps slightly less common in Leicestershire and Rutland than in some other areas.