Dance Fly with Feathered Legs vs Two-banded Wasp Hoverfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Dance Fly with Feathered Legs | Two-banded Wasp Hoverfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rhamphomyia sulcata | Chrysotoxum bicinctum |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Empididae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 5-8 mm | 10-14 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Dance Fly with Feathered Legs
A small dance fly where females have distinctive feathered or pennate leg scales used to attract males. Females inflate their abdomen to appear larger during swarming displays.
Did You Know?
In a rare reversal, females are the ornamented sex, using feathered legs and inflated abdomens to compete for males.
Two-banded Wasp Hoverfly
A striking wasp-mimicking hoverfly with bold yellow and black banding. Distinguished from wasps by its hovering flight and single pair of wings. Larvae develop in ant nests.
Did You Know?
Despite being a harmless hoverfly, its excellent wasp mimicry deters most predators.