Nephrotoma species have a lustrous body, appearing yellow with black or brown stripes and spots.

The subcosta (Sc) fuses with radial vein R slightly distal to the base of the radial sector vein Rs whilst no longer than the mediocubital cross-vein (m-cu).

The male genitalia segment Tergite-9 has microscopic black streaks at the apex.

The species are found in deciduous and mixed forests, shrubland and moist meadows.

The larvae live in soil and are sometimes harmful to agricultural crops and ornamental plants.