Caterpillar Tachinid vs Plain-faced Dronefly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Caterpillar Tachinid | Plain-faced Dronefly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lydella thompsoni | Eristalis arbustorum |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Tachinidae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 5-8 mm | 9-11 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Gardens |
| Diet | Parasites | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, North America | Europe, North America, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Caterpillar Tachinid
A small gray parasitic fly that attacks European corn borer larvae. It was introduced to North America as a biological control agent.
Did You Know?
Females deposit live larvae rather than eggs directly onto the host caterpillar.
Plain-faced Dronefly
A small, dark dronefly with a distinctive bare facial stripe. It is one of the most common hoverflies visiting garden flowers in summer.
Did You Know?
It can be distinguished from other droneflies by the shiny, hairless stripe down the center of its face.