They have bare eyes, bare metasternum, bare metapisternum, the anterior anepisternum is usually pilose. Wing margin with a series of minute closely spaced black maculae on posterior margin.
Mostly Oriental, however, Meliscaeva cinctella is widely distributed in North America and Europe.
^Stubbs, Alan E. & Falk, Steven J. (1983). British Hoverflies: An Illustrated Identification Guide. British Entomological & Natural History Society. pp. 253, xvpp.