Batman Hoverfly vs Caterpillar Tachinid
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Batman Hoverfly | Caterpillar Tachinid |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Myathropa florea | Lydella thompsoni |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Tachinidae |
| Size | 12-15 mm | 5-8 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Farmland |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Parasites |
| Regions | Europe, Western Asia | Europe, North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Batman Hoverfly
A wasp-mimicking hoverfly with a distinctive bat-shaped marking on its thorax, earning it the nickname 'batman hoverfly.' Larvae develop in water-filled tree holes as aquatic filter feeders.
Did You Know?
The dark bat-shaped mark on its thorax is so distinctive that it can be identified at a glance from above.
Caterpillar Tachinid
A small gray parasitic fly that attacks European corn borer larvae. It was introduced to North America as a biological control agent.
Did You Know?
Females deposit live larvae rather than eggs directly onto the host caterpillar.