Common Compost Hoverfly vs Yellow-Margined Water Scavenger Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Compost Hoverfly | Yellow-Margined Water Scavenger Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Syritta pipiens | Hydrochara caraboides |
| Order | Diptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Hydrophilidae |
| Size | 7-9 mm | 14-18 mm |
| Habitat | Gardens | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Scavengers | Scavengers |
| Regions | Worldwide | Europe, Western Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
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.
Yellow-Margined Water Scavenger Beetle
A large dark water scavenger beetle with yellowish margins on the pronotum. It inhabits well-vegetated ponds and is declining in parts of northern Europe.
Did You Know?
Larvae are fierce predators that dispatch prey much larger than themselves, including tadpoles.