American Horse Fly vs Long Hoverfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | American Horse Fly | Long Hoverfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tabanus americanus | Sphaerophoria scripta |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Tabanidae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 20-28 mm | 8-12 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Farmland |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Eastern and central United States | Europe, Asia, North Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
American Horse Fly
One of the largest horse flies in North America with a dark brown body and conspicuous green or purple iridescent eyes. Females deliver a painful slashing bite to obtain blood meals.
Did You Know?
Its knife-like mouthparts slice open skin rather than piercing it, which is why horse fly bites bleed so freely.
Long Hoverfly
A small, elongated hoverfly with a slender yellow-and-black striped abdomen. Males have an abdomen longer than their wings.
Did You Know?
It is one of the most common hoverflies found in agricultural landscapes across Europe.