Both male and female long-legged flies of the same species are similar in appearance (with the exception of the legs and face). These flies are small to minute in size, not exceeding 1.0 cm, and are usually metallic blue, green or coppery in color. Their bodies are partially covered with whitish, brownish or grayish patches. The face is wider in females than in males. The thorax is convex and long. The legs are long, ornamented and brightly colored in males. The wings of long-legged flies are clear with dark markings and may sometimes be ornamented with black and white markings. Little is known about the immature stages of long-legged flies, except that the larvae are found in muddy and grassy areas.

Long-legged flies typically occur near water and are abundant in swamps, along shaded streams, on foliage, on stones in streams, on tree trunks and on fallen logs throughout the United States.

Both adults and larvae are predaceous on mites, aphids, bark lice and the larvae of other insects.

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