Big-headed Fly vs Bee Killer Robber Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Big-headed Fly Bee Killer Robber Fly
Scientific Name Pipunculus campestris Mallophora bomboides
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Pipunculidae Asilidae
Size 3-6 mm 20-28 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Europe, Asia Eastern United States from New England to Florida
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Big-headed Fly

A small fly with an enormously enlarged, almost entirely eye-covered spherical head. It hovers in vegetation searching for leafhopper hosts in which to parasitize.

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Did You Know?

Its enormous eyes give it near-360-degree vision, allowing it to spot leafhoppers from any angle while hovering.

Bee Killer Robber Fly

A large fuzzy robber fly that closely resembles a bumble bee in both appearance and buzzing flight. It perches on vegetation and launches aerial attacks on passing insects.

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Did You Know?

Its bumble bee mimicry is so convincing that it can sit among real bees at flowers without being recognized as a predator.