Characteristics
Sobarocephala setipes is relatively variable in thoracic colour, but it always has a spot on the notopleuron that is enlarged in the female, and females and most males also have two large postsutural stripes that sometimes extend onto the lateral corners of the scutellum. Furthermore, the epandrium is yellow and the scutellum sometimes has an ill-defined dorsal spot or is brown laterally.

Similar species
Due to its variable colouration, Sobarocephala setipes can be mistaken for a number of other species. Sobarocephala interrupta is also bivittate on the scutum and has a laterally pigmented scutellum, but the notal stripes are irregular in outline and the surstylus is bifid. Sobarocephala texensis has a similar abdominal pattern and a medially pigmented scutellum (rarely the case in S. setipes), but this species lacks a notopleural spot and the medial scutellar stripe extends onto the posterior margin of the scutum. Sobarocephala lachnosternum is similar to paler specimens of S. setipes and has similar male genitalia, but the notopleural spot (when present) is large and quadrate, the epandrium is much larger, the male abdomen is very pale, and female sternite 5 has a narrower central stripe.

Distribution
Sobarocephala setipes is a widespread, although relatively uncommon species in eastern North America from Florida and Louisiana to Illinois and central Ontario.

Biology
This species has been found in a variety of habitats, including a bog, a forested area near a beach, and in damp Acer/Betula woods. Specimens, including pairs observed in copula, are also frequently found at dung.