Villa modesta can be found in June to September in coastal dune areas throughout mainland Europe, in Britain and to the north in Norway.

[3][4][5] Villa modesta is a fairly large fly, the body length is 10–14 mm.

The male does not have bands but has tufts of hair at the end of the abdomen and at the base of the wings.

The females may be found hovering near a dark hole in the sand shooting eggs.

Every now and then the females are rubbing the abdomen in the sand in a small circular movement.