3-4mm. Body colour variable, from pale yellow to dark brown. Legs are pale. As with other species in the family, the wings are long and thin giving them their common name of 'Spear-winged Flies'.

See ID guidance below for the specific features seen in this species.

Other Lonchoptera species.

• Anteroventral bristles on the mid tibia in the apical half
• The bristles on vein r1 are all of similar size
• The front tibia with three upper bristles
• The vertical bristles between the eyes and the postocular bristles are largely pale
• Male – vein a ends before the fork in vein m

Damp grassland.

April to October but adults overwinter in Ivy and evergreen vegetation.

Common and widespread.

Common and widespread.