Alpine Marsh Fly vs Plain-faced Dronefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Alpine Marsh Fly Plain-faced Dronefly
Scientific Name Elgiva solicita Eristalis arbustorum
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Sciomyzidae Syrphidae
Size 5-8 mm body length 9-11 mm
Habitat Meadows Gardens
Diet Predators Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe, Alps Europe, North America, Asia
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.

Plain-faced Dronefly

A small, dark dronefly with a distinctive bare facial stripe. It is one of the most common hoverflies visiting garden flowers in summer.

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Did You Know?

It can be distinguished from other droneflies by the shiny, hairless stripe down the center of its face.