Antlion vs Plain-faced Dronefly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Antlion | Plain-faced Dronefly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Myrmeleon formicarius | Eristalis arbustorum |
| Order | Neuroptera | Diptera |
| Family | Myrmeleontidae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 30-35 mm body (adult) | 9-11 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Gardens |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, Africa | Europe, North America, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Antlion
Larvae build conical sand pit traps to catch ants and other small insects. The larva waits buried at the bottom and flicks sand at prey trying to escape up the slopes.
Did You Know?
Antlion larvae engineer their sand traps using physics — they build at the exact angle of repose so any disturbance causes an avalanche, sweeping prey to the bottom.
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.
Did You Know?
It can be distinguished from other droneflies by the shiny, hairless stripe down the center of its face.