 They are fast and nimble fliers, and their larvae are found in wet, rotting organic matter such as garden compost, manure, and silage.The species is also commonly found in human-created environments such as most farmland, gardens, and urban parks, wherever there are flowers.This species is an important part of its native ecosystem as adult "Syritta pipiens" flies are critical pollinators for a variety of flowering plants and the species supports parasitism by various parasitic wasp species.