Beautiful Snout vs Cylindrical Tachinid

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Beautiful Snout Cylindrical Tachinid
Scientific Name Hypena crassalis Cylindromyia brassicaria
Order Lepidoptera Diptera
Family Erebidae Tachinidae
Size 30-36 mm wingspan 8-12 mm
Habitat Heathland Heathland
Diet Omnivores Parasites
Regions Europe Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Beautiful Snout

A moth with long palps forming a snout-like projection and warm purple-brown wings crossed by pale lines. It is associated exclusively with bilberry on acidic heathlands.

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Did You Know?

Its elongated mouthparts give it the appearance of having a beak, unique among British moths.

Cylindrical Tachinid

A slender, wasp-like parasitic fly with a narrow cylindrical abdomen. Parasitizes shieldbugs by laying eggs directly onto the host. Found in warm, flower-rich habitats.

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Did You Know?

Its wasp-like appearance is a remarkable case of mimicry in a group of true flies.