Giant Wood Hoverfly vs Banana Stalk Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Giant Wood Hoverfly | Banana Stalk Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Temnostoma vespiforme | Telostylinus angusticollis |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Neriidae |
| Size | 14-18 mm | 8-15 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Oceania |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Giant Wood Hoverfly
A large, wasp-mimicking hoverfly with yellow and black banding and a slender waist. Its larvae develop in decaying wood of fallen trees in old-growth forests.
Did You Know?
It is considered an indicator species for ancient woodland due to its dependence on large volumes of decaying timber.
Banana Stalk Fly
A slender long-legged fly from Australia whose body size depends on larval nutrition. Larger males pass on a size advantage to offspring even through a non-genetic pathway.
Did You Know?
Research on this species demonstrated transgenerational effects where paternal diet quality affected offspring body size without changes to DNA.