Banana Stalk Fly vs South American Robber Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Banana Stalk Fly South American Robber Fly
Scientific Name Telostylinus angusticollis Microstylum magnum
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Neriidae Asilidae
Size 8-15 mm 30-40 mm
Habitat Forests Grasslands
Diet Wood Feeders Predators
Regions Oceania South America, Central America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Banana Stalk Fly

A slender long-legged fly from Australia whose body size depends on larval nutrition. Larger males pass on a size advantage to offspring even through a non-genetic pathway.

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Did You Know?

Research on this species demonstrated transgenerational effects where paternal diet quality affected offspring body size without changes to DNA.

South American Robber Fly

A large, elongate robber fly from tropical regions with a slender abdomen and long spiny legs. It hunts from exposed perches and can catch large prey relative to its body size.

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Did You Know?

Some tropical Asilidae species are among the largest predatory flies in the world, rivaling small dragonflies in wingspan.