Common Bat Fly vs Great Pied Hoverfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Bat Fly | Great Pied Hoverfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Basilia nana | Volucella bombylans |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Nycteribiidae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 12-16 mm |
| Habitat | Caves | Heathland |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Common Bat Fly
A tiny, completely wingless spider-like fly that parasitizes bats. Its body is so highly modified for ectoparasitism that it bears almost no resemblance to a typical fly.
Did You Know?
It has evolved to be so specialized that its head folds back over the thorax, and it walks like a spider through bat fur.
Great Pied Hoverfly
A furry hoverfly that exists in multiple colour forms, each mimicking a different bumblebee species. Larvae develop inside bumblebee nests.
Did You Know?
Different colour forms mimic different bumblebee species, with some resembling red-tailed and others white-tailed bumblebees.