One of just three UK species in the Dryomyzidae family. Length about 12mm. A striking orange fly with large red eyes, infuscated crossveins on the wings and dark orange 'tramlines' on the thorax. It can be distinguished from the other two species in the family by having setulae along the full length of vein R1 on the dorsal wing. It also has a 'hooded' frons that obscures the antennal bases.

Dryope decrepita and Dryope flaveola lack setulae along the full length of vein R1 and also lack the strongly infuscated crossveins.

Adults are found in moist, shady habits among low-growing vegetation, fungi, and excrement.

May to September.

Larvae of this genus have been reared from decaying organic matter including carrion, dung, and fungi. Males defend the small carcasses on which females oviposit as well as the females themselves during copulation and oviposition.

Fairly frequent and widespread in England and Wales, fewer records from Scotland.

Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland