[2] This species is present in part of Europe (Albania, Balearic Islands, Bulgaria, the Canary Islands, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Spain), in North Africa, in the Near East (Turkey, Lebanon, Israel, Syria), in the Caucasus, in the Eastern parts of Afrotropical realm to South Africa, in the Oriental realm (Nepal, Northern India), in Northern Pakistan and in Iran.

[5] These hoverflies exhibit a bee-like yellow and black coloration (Batesian mimicry) and are often mistaken for wasps or bees.

[5] The wings are transparent, usually yellowish-brown at the base, while the halteres are brightly pale yellow colored.

They feed on nectar of yellow and white flowers such as Erica, Daphne, Senecio and Rosaceae species.

The larvae live as rat-tailed maggots, mainly in the mud, in animal carcasses and in water contaminated by pig manure.