Muscina levida

The Muscina genus is characterised by a striped thorax, a red tip to the scutellum and the discal vein turning up so that the first posterior cell is narrowed towards the wing apex.

There are four UK species. Muscina levida is 6-8.5mm, has black legs, black antennae and palps, and a posterior cell that narrows gradually so that the width at the wing tip is about 70% of the widest part of the cell.

Muscina stabilans has yellow legs.

Muscina prolapsa has black legs, yellow on part of the antennae and palps, and the posterior cell is more extremely narrowed at the wing tip to around 40% of the widest part.

• striped thorax
• red tip to the scutellum
• black legs
• black antennae and palps
• first posterior cell only narrows to around 70% of its greatest width

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box, state the key or ID method used and describe the size and identifying characters.

Usually found in woodland or well vegetated sites. It is fond of sunning itself on the trunks of trees.

March to October

Seems to be fairly widespread in Britain.

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.