Melanostoma mellinum, is a very common species of hoverfly found in many parts of Britain, Europe, North Africa, Asia and North America. A small species, the wingspan range recorded is between 4.75 and 7 mm. Very similar to Platycheirus and other Melanostoma species but with close inspection of some finer details can be identified with certainty. Adult males closely resemble Platycheirus clypeatus but lack the flattening or broadening of the front legs characteristic of most Platycheirus males. Females resemble female Melanostoma scalare sharing similar triangular tergite markings but have a shiny, black frons which separates them from M. scalare and most Platycheirus species.