Common Thick-headed Fly vs Swallow Prominent
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Thick-headed Fly | Swallow Prominent |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sicus ferrugineus | Pheosia tremula |
| Order | Diptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Conopidae | Notodontidae |
| Size | 8-12 mm | Wingspan 44-60mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, Asia |
| 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.
Swallow Prominent
A pale grey-white moth with a distinctive dark wedge-shaped mark along the inner edge of each forewing. It has a deeply toothed trailing wing edge.
Did You Know?
Its name comes from the deeply notched trailing edge of the hindwings which gives them a swallow-tail like appearance.