This fly is approximately 5/8 inch (20 mm) in length. It is shiny black on the thorax and reddish-brown on the abdomen. The eyes are large and red. The legs are very long and multi-colored orange and black. The front legs also have white tarsii.
Common in late May and early June in Fontenelle Forest and probably also in Neale Woods. They most likely can be seen from spring to fall. They usually are seen crawling around the base of trees or on low foliage.
These flies are wasp mimics. They are known for their behavior of walking around with their front legs extended forward. This makes the legs resemble wasp antennae and may provide some protection from predators. The white markings on the tarsii of this individual may mimic the white-banded antennae of some ichneumon wasps.
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