Great Pied Hoverfly vs Spring Dor Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Great Pied Hoverfly | Spring Dor Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Volucella bombylans | Geotrupes vernalis |
| Order | Diptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Scarabaeidae |
| Size | 12-16 mm | 12-20 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Heathland |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Dung Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, 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.
Spring Dor Beetle
A medium-sized, metallic blue-green to violet dung beetle active in spring. Unlike other dor beetles, the metallic coloration is visible dorsally. It digs deep burrows provisioned with dung for its larvae.
Did You Know?
Despite its name, this beetle is actually most active in autumn in many parts of its range.