American Hoverfly vs Flower Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | American Hoverfly | Flower Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eupeodes americanus | Cerceris rybyensis |
| Order | Diptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Crabronidae |
| Size | 8-11 mm | 8-14 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Heathland |
| 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.
Flower Wasp
A solitary wasp that hunts small mining bees to provision its nest. Nests in sandy soil, often in dense aggregations. Distinguished from other wasps by its hunting specialization.
Did You Know?
Specializes in hunting mining bees (Andrena), catching them on flowers and carrying them back to its burrow.