Differential diagnosis

Melanostoma are medium-sized hoverflies, very similar to Platycheirus. They differ from Platycheirus by having metasternum reduced, with deep posterior incision on each side; facial pruinosity neitehr punctate nor rippled; protibia and protarsi slender; and femora or tibiae without bristles or modified pili.

Species with antennae yellowish ventrally; abdomen black with yellow maculae; face and frons shiny; arista almost bare.