European Thick-headed Fly vs Plain-faced Dronefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute European Thick-headed Fly Plain-faced Dronefly
Scientific Name Myopa buccata Eristalis arbustorum
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Conopidae Syrphidae
Size 6-10 mm 9-11 mm
Habitat Woodlands Gardens
Diet Parasitoids Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe Europe, North America, 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.

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Did You Know?

It times its emergence with the spring flight period of its Andrena bee hosts, waiting on sunny surfaces to ambush them.

Plain-faced Dronefly

A small, dark dronefly with a distinctive bare facial stripe. It is one of the most common hoverflies visiting garden flowers in summer.

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Did You Know?

It can be distinguished from other droneflies by the shiny, hairless stripe down the center of its face.