We present a comparative analysis of correlates of Red data book status that controls for phylogeny. As a model system we use 244 species of hoverfly (Diptera: Syrphidae) from the British fauna, with their Red data book statuses in Britain and three regions of Germany. The analysis is confined to four adult characters, with Red data book status as the dependent variable. Associated with an increase in risk of extinction were a decrease in flight period and an increase in wing length (in two regions). Variables representing the number of habitats occupied and whether species were single- or multi-brooded were not associated with an increase in risk of extinction. At this stage we restrict our analysis to the identification of patterns rather than speculation as to causal mechanisms, but the patterns themselves are of value to conservation biologists, provided the methods used to identify them control for the possible confounding effects of phylogeny.