Batman Hoverfly vs Decula Periodical Cicada
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Batman Hoverfly | Decula Periodical Cicada |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Myathropa florea | Magicicada septendecula |
| Order | Diptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Cicadidae |
| Size | 12-15 mm | 22-26 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Woodlands |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Western Asia | Eastern United States, co-occurring with other Magicicada species |
| 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.
Decula Periodical Cicada
The smallest of the 17-year periodical cicada species with a distinctive ticking call. It is often the least abundant species within a periodical cicada brood.
Did You Know?
It is the rarest of the three 17-year species and was not described as a separate species until 1962.