Drone Fly vs Sweat Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Drone Fly | Sweat Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eristalis tenax | Hydrotaea irritans |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Muscidae |
| Size | 14-18 mm | 5-7 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Farmland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Dung Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, North America, Oceania | Europe, North America |
| 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.
Sweat Fly
A small dark fly attracted to perspiration on humans and livestock. It forms dense head-circling swarms in summer that can be extremely annoying.
Did You Know?
Swarms of these flies can reduce cattle weight gain by causing constant head-tossing behavior.