Alpine Marsh Fly vs Eastern Hanging Scorpionfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Alpine Marsh Fly Eastern Hanging Scorpionfly
Scientific Name Elgiva solicita Bittacus strigosus
Order Diptera Mecoptera
Family Sciomyzidae Bittacidae
Size 5-8 mm body length 20-28 mm wingspan
Habitat Meadows Meadows
Diet Predators Herbivores
Regions Europe, Alps Eastern North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Alpine Marsh Fly

A snail-killing fly of wet alpine meadows and bogs. Its larvae are specialist predators of aquatic snails.

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Did You Know?

Each larva can consume multiple snails during its development.

Eastern Hanging Scorpionfly

A North American hangingfly that hunts small insects while dangling from vegetation. Females assess male quality based on the size of prey offered as nuptial gifts.

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Did You Know?

Females will only mate with males that offer prey items above a certain size, rejecting males with inadequate gifts.