Bearded Robber Fly vs Snail-killing Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Bearded Robber Fly | Snail-killing Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Machimus atricapillus | Tetanocera elata |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Asilidae | Sciomyzidae |
| Size | 12-18 mm | 7-10 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Wetlands |
| Diet | Herbivores | Predators |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Bearded Robber Fly
A common European robber fly with a prominent mystax (facial beard) of bristles that protect its face during prey capture. It hunts from perches on bare ground and low vegetation.
Did You Know?
Its dense facial beard of stiff bristles acts as a protective cage, shielding its eyes from the thrashing legs of captured prey.
Snail-killing Fly
A wetland fly whose larvae are specialized predators or parasitoids of land snails. It has been investigated as a biocontrol agent for pest snails.
Did You Know?
Larvae enter the snail's shell and consume it alive over several days.