Giant Wood Hoverfly vs Cheese Skipper
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Giant Wood Hoverfly | Cheese Skipper |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Temnostoma vespiforme | Piophila casei |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Piophilidae |
| Size | 14-18 mm | 3-5 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Caves |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe | Cosmopolitan |
| 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.
Cheese Skipper
A small fly whose larvae infest stored cheese, cured meats, and other protein-rich foods. Larvae can leap up to 15 cm by curling and snapping their bodies.
Did You Know?
Sardinian casu marzu cheese is deliberately infested with its larvae as a delicacy.