This species is distinguished from all other Eristalini by its long snout which tapers to a point. Both sexes are rather dark, but the male tends to have triangular orange markings on the tergites, especially on tergite 2, whilst the female markings can be orange or grey.

Lushly vegetated pools containing plants such as bulrush, iris and willowherbs.

May to September peaking in June and July.

Widespread but rather local in Britain.

Local and infrequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.