Scorpion flies got their name because of the tail end of the adult male's abdomen is swollen and turns up to look like a scorpion (see right), but the insect is harmless. The female is similar, but with a slim, straight abdomen. The adults are scavengers feeding on dead insects, rotting fruit, and even bird droppings. They prefer shady locations, and as they are weak fliers they tend to crawl about on vegetation. Although they are not common insects the shape of the head and the tail, if you find a male, makes them easy to recognise.

Eggs are laid in the soil, and the larvae live in the soil where they scavenge in the soil and leaf litter.. The larva has 3 pairs of thoracic (true) legs and 8 pairs of prolegs.