Drone Fly vs Golden-belted Tachinid
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Drone Fly | Golden-belted Tachinid |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eristalis tenax | Ectophasia crassipennis |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Tachinidae |
| Size | 14-18 mm | 6-10 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Parasites |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, North America, Oceania | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Drone Fly
A large hoverfly that is an excellent mimic of the honey bee, complete with similar coloring and buzzing flight. Its aquatic larva is known as a rat-tailed maggot due to its long breathing siphon.
Did You Know?
The rat-tailed maggot larva can breathe in heavily polluted water by extending its telescoping tail siphon up to 10 centimeters to reach the surface air.
Golden-belted Tachinid
A colorful parasitic fly with golden-yellow markings and dark wing patches. Parasitizes shieldbugs and stink bugs. Often seen on umbellifer flowers.
Did You Know?
The conspicuous wing markings may be involved in mating displays among the otherwise cryptic tachinid flies.