Common Compost Hoverfly vs Oak Pinhole Borer
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Compost Hoverfly | Oak Pinhole Borer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Syritta pipiens | Platypus cylindrus |
| Order | Diptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Curculionidae |
| Size | 7-9 mm | 4-6 mm |
| Habitat | Gardens | Gardens |
| Diet | Scavengers | Omnivores |
| Regions | Worldwide | Europe |
| 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.
Oak Pinhole Borer
A tiny ambrosia beetle that bores into oak trees and cultivates fungal gardens inside its tunnels. The only European species of its subfamily. Males guard the tunnel entrance.
Did You Know?
One of the few farming insects in Europe, cultivating fungal crops inside tunnels bored into oak wood.