It has stubby, grey-brown wings with a metallic sheen.

The males have 4 short, wing vestiges which curve downwards at their ends.

In general, the female may be recognised from a curved, sabre-like pipe that acts as an ovipositor.

In their fully formed state, these animals are only found in the colder period of the year between October and March.

The larvae live on moss-covered areas and withdraw in September into holes in the ground to pupate.