Australian Hoverfly vs Horn-faced Marsh Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Australian Hoverfly Horn-faced Marsh Fly
Scientific Name Simosyrphus grandicornis Dictya umbrarum
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Syrphidae Sciomyzidae
Size 8-11 mm 4-7 mm
Habitat Farmland Wetlands
Diet Predators Detritivores
Regions Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia North America
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.

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Did You Know?

It is the most commonly encountered hoverfly species across mainland Australia.

Horn-faced Marsh Fly

A small yellowish marsh fly with patterned wings and prominent facial ridges. Larvae feed on decomposing aquatic snails in shallow wetland habitats.

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Did You Know?

Sciomyzid flies are the only family of Diptera in which the larvae are obligate associates of mollusks.