Australian Hoverfly vs Northern White-faced Darter

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Australian Hoverfly Northern White-faced Darter
Scientific Name Simosyrphus grandicornis Leucorrhinia rubicunda
Order Diptera Odonata
Family Syrphidae Libellulidae
Size 8-11 mm 30-38 mm body length
Habitat Farmland Forests
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Siberia, subarctic Europe
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.

Northern White-faced Darter

A small dragonfly with a dark body, white face, and reddish markings on the abdomen. Males are more brightly colored than females. It breeds in boggy pools surrounded by sphagnum moss in boreal forests.

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Did You Know?

Males defend their territory over bog pools with an aggressive aerial display, chasing away rival males and even other dragonfly species.