The North American population described as Hybomitra metabola (McDunnough 1922). Pechuman & Stone synonymized it with the Palearctic Hybomitra lurida in 1968, a synonymy accepted by Chvala et al (1972) in "The Horse Flies of Europe". Tentatively placed in the H. montana-group of European Hybomitra but, along with H. nitidifronsand H. sareptana,
probably form a distinct group of species (Chvala et al 1972).
Note the broad, only slightly widened above, frons, the broad abdominal stripe and the oblique, pale lateral patches. Wings clear, costal cell brownish, small infuscation at base of vein R4.
In the Nearctic ranges from Alaska to Newfoundland and south into the northern USA. In the Palearctic throughout continental Europe and Siberia to the Bering Sea coast. Also in China, Japan amd Mongolia.