Characteristics
Females of Sobarocephala latifacies are easily identified by their distinctive abdominal pattern (see photos at right) although the markings on tergites 1-5 are sometimes reduced to small anteromedial spots. Males have a yellow abdomen and a stout triangular surstylus with several tubercle-like bristles along the posterior margin. Both sexes have black bristles (brown to yellow in most other species), a frons that narrows towards the back of the head and a brown notopleuron.

Similar species
Other species with a frons that narrows towards the back of the head either have a densely plumose arista (S. quadrimaculata, S. cruciger) or white spots on the thorax (S. flaviseta, S. atrifacies).

Distribution
Sobarocephala latifacies
is largely restricted to the Great Lakes area and eastern North America from New Brunswick to South Carolina, although one specimen was collected in Utah.

Biology
Specimens have been reared from rotten logs, including elm, and have been collected in Malaise and yellow pan traps. Adults have also been found on slime moulds, swept from Impatiens, Clematis, Rubus and grasses, and collected near lakes and in a flood plain. Puparia have been found in Ontario in early May.