European Thick-headed Fly vs Gold-and-Brown Rove Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | European Thick-headed Fly | Gold-and-Brown Rove Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Myopa buccata | Ontholestes tessellatus |
| Order | Diptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Conopidae | Staphylinidae |
| Size | 6-10 mm | 14-20 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Predators |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, 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.
Gold-and-Brown Rove Beetle
A large rove beetle covered in a mosaic of golden and dark brown hairs. It frequents dung and carrion where it preys on fly larvae.
Did You Know?
Its tessellated hair pattern acts as camouflage against the mottled surfaces of dung and decaying matter.