Marmalade Hoverfly - Episyrphus balteatus

A look back to warmer days and the beautiful little Marmalade Fly - Episyrphus balteatus - which is possibly the commonest and most widespread hoverfly in the UK. At approximately 1 cm long it can be seen pretty much year round feeding on wildflowers of various kinds but is more prevalent in the warmer months. It is really interesting that not only are they one of the few species of fly that can crush pollen grains to feed on them, they can actually fly backwards as well. These three seemed to be having a pollen fest on the dandelion flower at Martin Mere Wetlands, Burscough, Lancashire.

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