This fruit fly is approximately 1/4 inch (6 mm) in length. The face and abdomen are a yellow-orange color. The end of the abdomen is black and pointed. The thorax is gray. The eyes are emerald green. The legs and antennae are also yellow-orange. The wings are distinctively colored black in the center with black rays radiating out to the edges with alternating transparent patches.
The frequency of occurrence is not known for this area. They can be found in summer around their host plant, Giant Ragweed (Ambrosia trifida).
There is a single adult generation in summer. The larva overwinters and pupates in the spring. The adults breed in female flowers in the developing seeds. One egg is laid per seed. The mating behavior includes male territoriality, wing waving and touching mouthparts.
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