Size 10 to 15mm. A smallish robberfly with black and red legs. The femora are black on the anterior surface and orange of the posterior surface, with an orange ring near the tip. The top of the thorax has a thick black central line.

Machimus atricapillus has almost all hairs at sides of frons black whereas M. cingulatus has them mostly white. The 'moustache' of M. atricapillus has denser and more numerous black bristles than that of M. cingulatus. M. cingulatus also tends to have strong dark bands on the anterior surface of the mid and fore tibiae. See ID Aids below.

Good quality close-up photographs showing the key ID features, in particular the leg colours and patterns.

Warm, open fields such as grasslands and heaths where there is dry, sandy soil.

June to October - peak in August.

The adult makes short darts to capture prey which mainly consists of smaller Diptera.

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