Adults are 1.0–3.0 mm long. Their wings are covered in dense hairs that form pigmented patterns. They have mouthparts adapted for sucking blood.

Eggs are 0.25 mm long and can be cigar-like, banana-, or sausage-shaped. They are laid on moist soil and cannot withstand drying out. Eggs hatch within 2–10 days. 

Larvae are 2.0–5.0 mm long, worm-like, and creamy white.

Pupae are 2.0–5.0 mm long, and can be pale yellow to light brown in colour with an unsegmented cephalothorax with a pair of respiratory horns. Pupal stage lasts 2–3 days. 

Life Cycle

2–6 weeks.