Chalk Hill Blue vs Hanging Thief Robber Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Chalk Hill Blue Hanging Thief Robber Fly
Scientific Name Polyommatus coridon Diogmites platypterus
Order Lepidoptera Diptera
Family Lycaenidae Asilidae
Size Wingspan 33-40mm 15-22 mm
Habitat Grasslands Farmland
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Europe North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Chalk Hill Blue

A large blue butterfly with silvery-blue males and brown females. Restricted to chalk and limestone grasslands.

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Did You Know?

Males have an ethereal silvery-blue tone unique among European butterflies, visible in large numbers on chalk hills.

Hanging Thief Robber Fly

A slender, elongate robber fly that hangs from vegetation by its front legs while feeding. It has long dangling legs and a distinctive hunting posture unlike most other asilids.

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Did You Know?

It earns its name by dangling from a single leg while consuming prey, freeing the other legs for handling food.