strange fly

[ETJ]

Can any entomologist identify this rather attractive fly that was on our bathroom door on 21st March?  I've tried identification websites but they all seem to assume prior knowledge.

Eric

[Lockhart]

It's a lacewing, but identifying *which* lacewing is beyond my knowledge.  If memory serves, the UK has something like 18 different species.

Apparently, they like to eat aphids and similar pests so it's probably a good thing to have around your garden.

[ETJ]

Thanks, Lockhart : when you mention lacewing, it seems obvious except I didn't know thre were such large ones.

I tried a Google search for identification, but all the sites were classed as unsafe by the browser (Firefox).  I can't see why anuone trying to spread malware would use an insect identification site to do it.

Eric