This species is found from western Canada to northeastern North America.

Hoverflies get their names from the ability to remain nearly motionless while in flight.

Adults are seen from June to October in the northern part of their range.

Males engage in hilltopping, where they find high ground to await females.

Larvae are found in decaying heartwood of deciduous trees.

The black scutum has a prominent, inverted V-shaped yellow structure just above the posterior margin.

This species has a black, elongate cylindrical abdomen, scarcely wider than the thorax and with four yellow bands.

On the third segments there is a single median yellow band narrowly interrupted in the middle.

On the posterior angles of the second and third segments there is a small yellow streak, extending a short distance narrowly inward.