Ant-decapitating Fly vs Heineken Hoverfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Ant-decapitating Fly | Heineken Hoverfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pseudacteon tricuspis | Rhingia campestris |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Phoridae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 1-2 mm | 9-12 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | South America, introduced to North America for biocontrol | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Ant-decapitating Fly
A minute parasitoid fly that targets fire ants by injecting eggs into their bodies. The developing larva migrates to the ant's head, eventually causing it to fall off.
Did You Know?
The larva releases enzymes that dissolve the ant's head contents, and the head eventually falls off to serve as a pupation chamber.
Heineken Hoverfly
An unmistakable hoverfly with a long, beak-like snout used to reach nectar in tubular flowers. It has an orange abdomen and dark thorax.
Did You Know?
It is nicknamed the Heineken fly because its long snout lets it reach the nectar other hoverflies cannot reach.