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Medium sized, 15 mm in length. Laphria index is a generally slender fly compared to other Laphria spp. Thorax and abdomen are covered in fine orange hair (pubescence), and legs are brown to red. Coloration of the abdominal and thoracic piles (clumps of hairs) are similar to L. janus (though less dramatic), with the thoracic pubescence being much more delicate. Legs are covered in fine pubescence, and are long and raptorial, ending in prominent tarsal claws used for subduing prey items and mates. Mystax (dense setae surrounding the hypopharynx) and the surrounding mane are white and rather sparse, and scutellar bristles are yellowish. Metapleural hairs are lightly colored or white. Laphria index can be confused with L. aeatus (Walker), but can be most easily distinguished by the yellow scutellar bristles (McAtee 1919; Adisoemarto 1967).