The marbled grey flesh fly has a body length of 12 to 20 mm, with striking red eyes and large feet. The thorax has black and grey stripes. The abdomen has a checkered black and grey pattern that varies with the angle from which it is viewed.
Adults feed on nectar, rotting carrion and dung. On the wing throughout the year, they often bask on sunny walls in winter. Females give birth to active grubs that feed in carrion and dung.