Great Pied Hoverfly vs House Fly Pupal Parasitoid

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Great Pied Hoverfly House Fly Pupal Parasitoid
Scientific Name Volucella bombylans Muscidifurax raptor
Order Diptera Hymenoptera
Family Syrphidae Pteromalidae
Size 12-16 mm 1-2 mm
Habitat Heathland Farmland
Diet Parasitoids Parasitoids
Regions Europe, North America North America, Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Great Pied Hoverfly

A furry hoverfly that exists in multiple colour forms, each mimicking a different bumblebee species. Larvae develop inside bumblebee nests.

💡

Did You Know?

Different colour forms mimic different bumblebee species, with some resembling red-tailed and others white-tailed bumblebees.

House Fly Pupal Parasitoid

A minute parasitoid wasp that develops inside house fly and stable fly pupae. It is sold commercially for biological fly management.

💡

Did You Know?

Each female destroys about 50 fly pupae in her lifetime through a combination of parasitism and host-feeding.