Syrphus vitripennis is a very common European and North American species of hoverfly. Its larvae feed on aphids
For terms see Morphology of Diptera<br/> Wing length 7÷25-10÷25 mm. Frons above lunulae black. Tergites 3 and 4 with entire yellow bands and lateral margin of tergites black. Male: femora 3 black for basal three-quarters. Female: femora 3 black on basal two-thirds. The male genitalia and the larva are figured by Dusek and Laska (1964). See references for determination.
Palearctic throughout. Nearctic Alaska to California. Migratory.
Habitat: Deciduous and coniferous woodland and anthropophilic, occurring along field hedges, in suburban gardens and parks. Flies March to October.