Big-headed Fly vs Giant Wood Hoverfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Big-headed Fly | Giant Wood Hoverfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pipunculus campestris | Temnostoma vespiforme |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Pipunculidae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 3-6 mm | 14-18 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Forests |
| Diet | Herbivores | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Asia | Europe |
| 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.
Did You Know?
Its enormous eyes give it near-360-degree vision, allowing it to spot leafhoppers from any angle while hovering.
Giant Wood Hoverfly
A large, wasp-mimicking hoverfly with yellow and black banding and a slender waist. Its larvae develop in decaying wood of fallen trees in old-growth forests.
Did You Know?
It is considered an indicator species for ancient woodland due to its dependence on large volumes of decaying timber.