American Hoverfly vs European Hangingfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | American Hoverfly | European Hangingfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eupeodes americanus | Bittacus italicus |
| Order | Diptera | Mecoptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Bittacidae |
| Size | 8-11 mm | 18-25 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Grasslands |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | North America | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
American Hoverfly
A widespread North American hoverfly with yellow and black markings. Larvae are voracious aphid predators in crop fields.
Did You Know?
A single larva can consume several hundred aphids before pupating.
European Hangingfly
A delicate predatory insect with long legs that hangs from grass stems and snatches prey with its prehensile hind tarsi. Found in Mediterranean grasslands.
Did You Know?
The prehensile hind tarsi of hangingflies can close like a jackknife, trapping prey in a fraction of a second.