The wing length is 8·5-11·75 mm. Differs from Cheilosia chrysocoma in these characters. Segment 3 of antennae brown to black. Pubescence foxy-tawny. All tarsi segments black.[2][3][4][5][6]
Deciduous forest in open areas, clearings and tracksides in woodland and scrub; poorly drained pasture. Flowers visited include Anemone nemorosa, Corylus, Prunus spinosa, Ranunculus, Salix, Taraxacum, Tussilago. Flies in March and April, (later at higher altitudes).[10][11]
^Stubbs, Alan E.; Falk, Steven J. (1983). British Hoverflies: An Illustrated Identification Guide. British Entomological & Natural History Society. p. 251, xvpp.
^Van Veen, M. (2004) Hoverflies of Northwest Europe: identification keys to the Syrphidae. 256pp. KNNV Publishing, Utrecht.addendum
^Van der Goot,V.S. (1981) De zweefvliegen van Noordwest - Europa en Europees Rusland, in het bijzonder van de Benelux. KNNV, Uitgave no.32: 275pp. Amsterdam.
^Bei-Bienko, G.Y. & Steyskal, G.C. (1988) Keys to the Insects of the European Part of the USSR, Volume V: Diptera and Siphonaptera, Part I. Amerind Publishing Co., New Delhi. ISBN81-205-0080-6.
^Coe, R.L. (1953) Diptera: Syrphidae. Handbks.ident.Br.insects, 10(1): 1-98. R.ent.Soc.London. pdfArchived 2018-10-04 at the Wayback Machine
^Rotheray G., 1993 Colour Guide to Hoverfly Larvae Diptera, Syrphidae in Britain and Europe Dipterists Forum pdfArchived 2019-04-03 at the Wayback Machine
^Peck, L.V. (1988) Syrphidae. In: Soos, A. & Papp, L. (eds.) Catalogue of Palaearctic Diptera, 8: 11-230. Akad.Kiado, Budapest.
^de Buck, N. (1990) Bloembezoek en bestuivingsecologie van Zweefvliegen (Diptera, Syrphidae) in het bijzonder voor België. Doc.Trav. IRSNB, no.60, 1-167.