Eristalis pertinax
West Worthing, West Sussex
[ Wingspan: 8.5 - 12 millimetres ]
The Tapered Drone Fly, Eristalis pertinax is one of our commonest and easiest to identify hoverflies. It appears throughout Britain between March to November.
Its distinctive triangular abdominal shape is one feature that sets it apart from other hoverflies in the Eristalis family. The orange (rather than brown) of the tarsi (lower sections) of its front and mid legs is another feature. The lack of a curved and thickened hind tibia (middle section of the leg) sets it apart from the otherwise largely similar Eristalis tenax.
