Dark-winged Fungus Gnat vs Great Pied Hoverfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Dark-winged Fungus Gnat | Great Pied Hoverfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sciara hemerobioides | Volucella bombylans |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Mycetophilidae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 4-6 mm | 12-16 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Heathland |
| Diet | Fungus Feeders | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Dark-winged Fungus Gnat
A small, dark fungus gnat with smoky wings and long slender antennae. Its larvae are known for forming spectacular marching columns of thousands of individuals.
Did You Know?
Larvae form army-like processions of thousands marching in columns across forest floors, a phenomenon called 'Heerwurm' in German.
Great Pied Hoverfly
A furry hoverfly that exists in multiple colour forms, each mimicking a different bumblebee species. Larvae develop inside bumblebee nests.
Did You Know?
Different colour forms mimic different bumblebee species, with some resembling red-tailed and others white-tailed bumblebees.