Australian Hoverfly vs Balloon Dance Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Australian Hoverfly | Balloon Dance Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Simosyrphus grandicornis | Hilara maura |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Empididae |
| Size | 8-11 mm | 4-6 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia | Europe, Northern Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Australian Hoverfly
A common Australian hoverfly with orange-yellow markings on a dark abdomen. It is an important pollinator and aphid predator in Australian agriculture.
Did You Know?
It is the most commonly encountered hoverfly species across mainland Australia.
Balloon Dance Fly
A dance fly famous for its elaborate mating ritual in which males present silk-wrapped prey gifts to females. Males spin a silk balloon around a captured insect before offering it during aerial mating swarms.
Did You Know?
Males that wrap their prey gifts in the most elaborate silk balloons are preferred by females during mating dances.