Aphid Mummy Wasp vs Batman Hoverfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Aphid Mummy Wasp | Batman Hoverfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aphidius ervi | Myathropa florea |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Braconidae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 12-15 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, North America, South America, Oceania | Europe, Western Asia |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Aphid Mummy Wasp
A tiny parasitoid wasp widely used in biological control of pea aphids and other large aphid species. It turns parasitized aphids into hardened golden-brown 'mummies' from which new wasps emerge.
Did You Know?
Parasitized aphids swell into distinctive metallic 'mummies' before the adult wasp chews a neat exit hole to emerge.
Batman Hoverfly
A wasp-mimicking hoverfly with a distinctive bat-shaped marking on its thorax, earning it the nickname 'batman hoverfly.' Larvae develop in water-filled tree holes as aquatic filter feeders.
Did You Know?
The dark bat-shaped mark on its thorax is so distinctive that it can be identified at a glance from above.