Common Compost Hoverfly vs Coffin Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Compost Hoverfly | Coffin Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Syritta pipiens | Conicera tibialis |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Phoridae |
| Size | 7-9 mm | 2-3 mm |
| Habitat | Gardens | Underground |
| Diet | Scavengers | Omnivores |
| Regions | Worldwide | Europe, North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Common Compost Hoverfly
A tiny, slender hoverfly with distinctively swollen hind femora and a darting flight pattern. It breeds in compost heaps and decaying organic matter.
Did You Know?
Males hover in sunbeams and dart sideways to intercept passing females with lightning-fast aerial maneuvers.
Coffin Fly
A tiny humpbacked fly capable of burrowing through soil to reach buried remains. It is of forensic importance as it can colonize remains inaccessible to other insects.
Did You Know?
It can burrow through over a meter of soil to reach a food source below ground.