The larvae are aquatic, and of the Rat-tailed maggot type.
Adults are often seen visiting flowers.
Flight period in the United Kingdom is from April to October, peaking around July and August.
The males show a characteristic courtship display, hovering above a foraging female for minutes.
 

When many males are present two or more males may hover above one female.

Adult habitat is streamsides, fen meadow and poorly-drained pasture.
Flowers visited include yellow composites, umbellifers, Cakile, Calluna vulgaris, Caltha, Cardamine, Cirsium, Crataegus, Eupatorium, Euphorbia, Filipendula, Malus, Menyanthes, Mentha, Parnassia, Prunus, Ranunculus, Rubus fruticosus, Salix, Sorbus, Succisa.
The larvae are aquatic, and of the Rat-tailed maggot type. Adults are often seen visiting flowers. Flight period in the United Kingdom is from April to October, peaking around July and August. The males show a characteristic courtship display, hovering above a foraging female for minutes.  

When many males are present two or more males may hover above one female. 
Adult habitat is streamsides, fen meadow and poorly-drained pasture. Flowers visited include yellow composites, umbellifers, Cakile, Calluna vulgaris, Caltha, Cardamine, Cirsium, Crataegus, Eupatorium, Euphorbia, Filipendula, Malus, Menyanthes, Mentha, Parnassia, Prunus, Ranunculus, Rubus fruticosus, Salix, Sorbus, Succisa.
Eristalis nemorum