All flies in this genus are predators - hunting other insects on the wing.

6 - 7 mm, buff-grey with dark spots on the abdomen and several rows of spots on the thorax. Normally with red tibia and tips of the femora.

Distinguished from other Coenosia by the combination of a pair of bristles very close to each other on the middle of the hind tibia and the mid and hind femora black with red tips.

Very similar to a number of Helina species, separated by the missing pre-alar bristle.

• 3 sternopleural bristles in a triangle
• missing pre-alar
• acrostichals: 0+0, dorsocentrals: 1+3
• plumose arista, black palps
• cross-veins not infuscated

Occupies a very broad range of habitats especially waste places and is sometimes found in greenhouses.

May to September

Predatory on small insects etc.

Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain.

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.