Banded General - Stratiomys potamida

Soldier flies get their name from their bold and bright colours and markings. This is a particularly striking example - looking like a very flat wasp.

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required. If the photo doesn't show the key ID features then in the comments box describe the size and identifying characters you have observed.

It is a slow and cumbersome flyer, often seen feeding on umbellifers and Bramble in wet and marshy areas.

June to August.

Its carnivorous larvae are amphibious, feeding in ponds and ditches.

Fairly common in England and Wales, fewer records from Scotland.

Now thought to be fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland