The invention is to provide a liquid crystal composition that satisfies at least one characteristic among the characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, a small viscosity, a large optical anisotropy, a negatively large dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light, a high stability to heat and so forth. A liquid crystal composition having a negative dielectric anisotropy comprising two components, wherein the first component is at least one compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formula (1-1) and formula (1-2), and the second component is at least one compound selected from the group of compounds represented by formula (2-1) and formula (2-2): wherein R1 and R2 are each independently alkyl having 1 to 12 carbons, alkoxy having from 1 to 12 carbons, alkenyl having 2 to 12 carbons or alkenyl having 2 to 12 carbons, arbitrary hydrogen of which is replaced by fluorine; Z1 is a single bond, ethylene, methyleneoxy or carbonyloxy; ring A and ring B are each independently tetrahydropyran-2,5-diyl, 1,4-cyclohexylene, or 1,4-phenylene, at least one of ring A and ring B is tetrahydropyran-2,5-diyl.