This diminutive fly is about 1/4 inch (6 mm) in length. The eyes are very large and dark red. The face is white with bright yellow antennal knobs. The thorax is dark brown with a wide yellow margin where it meets the abdomen. The abdomen is orange with black markings with the male being more lightly marked. The abdomen has a continuous yellow margin. A dark form occurs sometimes early in the season, but it also has the yellow margin around the abdomen.
The is a common fly from spring through summer. It can often be seen nectaring at flowers at Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods.
The larvae of this species preys on aphids, thrips and small caterpillars. This genus includes 17 species of small flies (1/4 -1/2 inch) in North America.
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