Elongated abdomen, pointed in the female. The flies take flight on fine days, flying slowly, landing frequently on the leaves of a large variety of low-growing plants. They mate and lay eggs shortly afterwards in the ground near host plants.
Larval development lasts one month after which it pupates.
L ife Cycle -2 generations per annum, a 3rd in the autumn in some regions. Highest larval feeding activity in August. Damage on carrot Galleries situated under the epidermis cause the tissue to burst open. .