[2] The adult V. pellucens is usually found in woodlands and wooded hedgerows, but will enter gardens.

Adults live on nectar and pollen, as with most hoverflies, and visits a large range of flowers from May to October,[4][3][5] showing a distinct preference for white flowers, such as Sambucus, Cornus, Ligustrum, Rubus idaeus, and bramble and Apiaceae, but they also feed on Asteraceae, Valeriana officinalis, Succisa pratensis, Chamerion angustifolium, and Urtica dioica.

Despite the conspicuous nature of the intruder, the hosts do not appear to register her presence as she makes her way into the otherwise well-guarded nest entrance.

[6] When the eggs hatch, the larvae drop to the bottom of the nest chamber, where they feed as scavengers on debris.

If the host nest is in the roof or walls of a house, then the larvae may end up crawling about in the dwelling space.