[4] Characteristics of the genus Pogonortalis are: the cheek immediately below the eye being less than a tenth the height of the eye; the hind femur having an anteroventral keel at the distal third; and the anterior crossvein of the wing meeting vein 4 before the mid-length of the discal cell.

Males have a bundle of long curved bristles on each cheek of the head.

In this location, females have a single shorter bristle among small hairs.

[6] This species waves its wings like the rowing of oars on a boat, thus the common name "boatman fly".

[4] Pogonortalis doclea is commonly found in Australian gardens.