European Thick-headed Fly vs South American Robber Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | European Thick-headed Fly | South American Robber Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Myopa buccata | Microstylum magnum |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Conopidae | Asilidae |
| Size | 6-10 mm | 30-40 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Grasslands |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Predators |
| Regions | Europe | South America, Central America |
| 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.
South American Robber Fly
A large, elongate robber fly from tropical regions with a slender abdomen and long spiny legs. It hunts from exposed perches and can catch large prey relative to its body size.
Did You Know?
Some tropical Asilidae species are among the largest predatory flies in the world, rivaling small dragonflies in wingspan.