Australian Beefly Robber vs Plain-faced Dronefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Australian Beefly Robber Plain-faced Dronefly
Scientific Name Blepharotes coriarius Eristalis arbustorum
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Asilidae Syrphidae
Size 25-35 mm 9-11 mm
Habitat Woodlands Gardens
Diet Predators Nectar Feeders
Regions Australia Europe, North America, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Australian Beefly Robber

Australia's largest robber fly, heavily built with a dense covering of dark hair. It is a powerful predator capable of taking large beetles.

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Did You Know?

It is so large and powerful that it has been observed catching and eating cicadas.

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.

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Did You Know?

It can be distinguished from other droneflies by the shiny, hairless stripe down the center of its face.