Gymnosoma rotundatum, Ladybird Fly

The Ladybird Fly is very rare in Britain and is only found in the southern counties of Surrey, Sussex, Kent and Hampshire. As far as Slough, Winchester and Southampton.

They fly between the end of May and September.

Habitat, woodland clearings, parks, gardens and heathland.

They feed on nectar of a wide variety of flora.

They are a parasite, and lay their eggs on the bodies of various Sheildbugs. On hatching the tiny larva bore their way inside the Sheildbug body, until they are ready to pupate, when they bore their way out again and, pupate in the soil.

Ladybird Fly on Wood Spurge

Photographed in my garden