Elephant Mosquito vs Eupeodes Hoverfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Elephant Mosquito Eupeodes Hoverfly
Scientific Name Toxorhynchites rutilus Eupeodes corollae
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Culicidae Syrphidae
Size 8-12 mm 8-12 mm
Habitat Forests Farmland
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Eastern North America Europe, Asia, North Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Elephant Mosquito

A large, iridescent blue-green mosquito whose adults do not bite. Larvae are predators of other mosquito larvae in tree holes.

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Did You Know?

It is studied as a biological control agent because its larvae devour disease-carrying mosquito larvae.

Eupeodes Hoverfly

A common small hoverfly with variable yellow comma-shaped markings on the abdomen. It is a migratory species and important aphid predator.

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Did You Know?

It migrates in huge numbers from southern Europe northward each spring alongside painted lady butterflies.