Golden Dung Fly vs Semaphore Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Golden Dung Fly Semaphore Fly
Scientific Name Scathophaga stercoraria Poecilobothrus nobilitatus
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Scathophagidae Dolichopodidae
Size 7-10 mm 5-7 mm
Habitat Farmland Gardens
Diet Predators Omnivores
Regions Europe, Asia, North America Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Golden Dung Fly

A common furry yellow fly that gathers on fresh cow dung to mate and hunt.

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Did You Know?

Males are fiercely competitive and wrestle each other for access to females on dung pats.

Semaphore Fly

A tiny metallic green fly where males have conspicuous white-tipped wings used in semaphore-like courtship displays. It is extremely common around garden ponds and puddles.

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Did You Know?

Males stand on mud and wave their white-tipped wings like semaphore flags to attract females watching nearby.