Heineken Hoverfly vs European Spruce Sawfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Heineken Hoverfly | European Spruce Sawfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rhingia campestris | Gilpinia hercyniae |
| Order | Diptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Diprionidae |
| Size | 9-12 mm | 7-10 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, introduced to North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Heineken Hoverfly
An unmistakable hoverfly with a long, beak-like snout used to reach nectar in tubular flowers. It has an orange abdomen and dark thorax.
Did You Know?
It is nicknamed the Heineken fly because its long snout lets it reach the nectar other hoverflies cannot reach.
European Spruce Sawfly
A moderately sized sawfly with dark brown to black coloring and pectinate antennae in males. Larvae are green with white lateral stripes and feed on spruce needles.
Did You Know?
After its introduction to North America in the 1920s, it caused massive spruce defoliation until a naturally occurring nuclear polyhedrosis virus brought populations under control.