While the genus is relatively easy to identify,[1] the differences between species have a more narrow range of variations.

Therefore, identification of species by images of specimens alone should be made with care.

They feed on aphids and other small Hemiptera resting in the daytime.

This nocturnal habit, plus the camouflage coloration of the larvae may account for the lack of larval reports for this genus.

[2][3] for taxonomic terms see Thompson or Speight Archived 2023-01-22 at the Wayback Machine These are medium-sized flies with a combination of characters: the margin of the abdomen grooved and dark with light spots present on tergites 2,3 and 4, haired eyes microtrichose wings (at least anterior third) with a elongate stigma, third vein ending at the apex of the wing, calypter with ventral lobe bare and a bare metasternum.