The Marmalade Hoverfly is one of the UK's most common and widespread hoverflies, easily recognized by its orange body adorned with distinctive black bands. Despite its wasp-like appearance—a clever form of mimicry to deter predators—it is entirely harmless. Remarkably, this species is migratory; each year, millions travel from continental Europe to the UK, providing essential pollination services along the way

These hoverflies are abundant across the UK and can be found in a variety of habitats, including gardens, parks, meadows, and woodland edges. They are active throughout the year, with peak numbers observed in the summer months.

Adult Marmalade Hoverflies feed on nectar and pollen from a wide range of flowering plants, favoring species like tansy, ragwort, and cow parsley. Their larvae are voracious predators of aphids, making them valuable allies in natural pest control.