Common Thick-headed Fly vs Hump-backed Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Thick-headed Fly | Hump-backed Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sicus ferrugineus | Megaselia scalaris |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Conopidae | Phoridae |
| Size | 8-12 mm | 2-3 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Carrion Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Worldwide |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Common Thick-headed Fly
A distinctive orange-brown fly with a disproportionately large, inflated head and a curved abdomen. It perches conspicuously on flowers waiting to intercept passing bumblebees.
Did You Know?
The parasitized bumblebee eventually dies and buries itself in the ground, where the fly larva pupates inside the bee.
Hump-backed Fly
A tiny scuttle fly with a distinctly humped thorax that breeds in an extraordinary range of organic matter. It is forensically important especially in enclosed burial sites.
Did You Know?
It can colonize buried or concealed bodies that are inaccessible to larger blow flies.