This is reportedly the most common species of empidid in the colder areas of Scandinavia, and one of the first to emerge after winter (Chvála 1994). It is placed in the subgenus Platyptera, which contains one other European species, as well as several North American Species.
Empis borealis emerges in the early spring, and is often found on flowers feeding on nectar. This species shows sex-role reversal; the females, with their distinctive darkened wings, form swarms to attract males. Males capture a variety of insect prey before entering the swarm and choosing a mate. The mating behavior has been the object of several detailed studies (e.g Svensson and Petersson 1987-2000).
This species is widely distributed from Great Britain to western Siberia and the Alps to northern Scandinavia, but is more common in the northern part of its range.