[3] The genus Platycheirus was established in 1828 by Lepeletier and Serville, with the type specimen of Syrphus scutatus Meigen.

This genus is primarily Holarctic in distribution, encompassing 70 species within the Nearctic region.

Platycheirus are slender, small to medium-sized flies that are often covered in fine hairs.

They are mostly black or metallic green, and they may have yellow, reddish, or whitish-yellow spots on their abdomens.

This means that the front tibia and tarsi of males can be dilated in various ways and may have special colors.