This medium-sized fly is approximately 1/2 inch (13 mm) long. The thorax is light brown with some streaking, abdomen is black and bristly with a bell-shaped tan mark at the rear. Legs are dark brown. Wings are clear with tan coloration. The widely separated eyes are dark brown and the face is tan and rather bulbous.
In general, Tachinid Flies are very common and can be seen almost anywhere during the summer. Epalpus signifer is less common than other species of Tachinids.
There are three species in the genus Epalpus in North America. Signifer is the most widespread across the U. S. Recorded hosts for this fly are caterpillars of species of Lithophane moths, family Noctuidae.
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