This genus includes small to medium-sized flies with a comparatively large head, prominent, often reddish-brown and widely-spaced eyes, and antennae that are fairly close together. The wings have 3 submarginal cells, and the first posterior cell is closed and stalked. Members of the genus are sometimes abundant in the spring, generally perching on the ground rather than on flowers. Photos on the Internet usually depict them nectaring on white or yellow composites, less often on buckwheat or members of the carrot family. They regularly hover slowly within an inch or two of the ground before perching.