European Thick-headed Fly vs Batman Hoverfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | European Thick-headed Fly | Batman Hoverfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Myopa buccata | Myathropa florea |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Conopidae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 6-10 mm | 12-15 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Underground |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, Western Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
European Thick-headed Fly
A small reddish-brown conopid fly with a distinctively swollen face and downward-curving proboscis. It is commonly found basking on sunny tree trunks and fences in spring.
Did You Know?
It times its emergence with the spring flight period of its Andrena bee hosts, waiting on sunny surfaces to ambush them.
Batman Hoverfly
A wasp-mimicking hoverfly with a distinctive bat-shaped marking on its thorax, earning it the nickname 'batman hoverfly.' Larvae develop in water-filled tree holes as aquatic filter feeders.
Did You Know?
The dark bat-shaped mark on its thorax is so distinctive that it can be identified at a glance from above.