Gymnosoma rotundatum, ladybird fly, TQ 40104 68783
Months seen: June to September

Habitat: Heathland, Parks, gardens and hedgerows. Often in dry, sandy areas

Food: Nectar. The larvae are parasitic on shieldbugs

Special features: Ladybird flies are a species of Tachinid fly which have an almost spherical abdomen. The abdomen is a dull orange colour and marked with three, round, black spots. The base of the wings are a yellow-brown colour and the thorax has a raised black section behind a golden brown area. The whole fly is sparsely covered in dark hairs.


Ladybird flies are parasitic and lay their eggs on shieldbugs. When they hatch, the larvae bore into the shieldbug and feed of their insides. When they are ready to pupate the larvae bore their way back out and pupate in soil.