Helina lasiophthalma

5.25 to 7.5 mm. Grey head, thorax and abdomen with paired brown spots on the abdominal tergites. Red legs with black tarsi, though the front femur may be darkened. The cross-veins are darkened and it has 2+1 sternopleural bristles.

Several other Helina species have abdominal spots and it is usually necessary to key out the specimen to reach the species identity.

• 5.2-7.5mm
• paired dark spots on the abdomen
• hairy eyes
• 2+1 sternopleural bristles
• red legs with black tarsi
• cross-veins darkened

Specimen needs to be keyed out.

Hedgerows and woodland edge where adults may be found taking nectar and pollen.

Late April to early November – but peaking in May and June.

Fairly frequent and widely distributed in England and Wales.

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.