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Medium sized; 8-12 mm in length. Body is black and apparently bare (with no significant pubescence), giving a slender appearance. Abdomen is slender and black, and legs are orange to red, except coxae and tarsi which are black. Legs are mostly bare, and are relatively delicate. Compared to most Laphria, which are bee-mimics and large, robust predators, Laphria sadales is one of the less impressive flies of the genus. Antennae are very small, and the setae of the mystax (hairs surrounding the mouthparts) and surrounding mane are relatively short and inconspicuous compared to other species. The hypopharynx is also small relative to other species in the genus Laphria. Sexual dimorphism is slight, with males having slightly paler abdomens and golden abdominal piles (clumps of hairs; compared to black abdominal piles in females). This species is often confused with L. xanthippe (Williston), but can be distinguished by the entirely black abdomen and red legs (McAtee 1919; Adisoemarto 1967).