Heineken Hoverfly vs Hawaiian Picture-wing Fly (Silvestris)
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Heineken Hoverfly | Hawaiian Picture-wing Fly (Silvestris) |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rhingia campestris | Drosophila silvestris |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Drosophilidae |
| Size | 9-12 mm | 4-6 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Forests |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Oceania (Hawaii - Big Island) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Endangered |
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.
Hawaiian Picture-wing Fly (Silvestris)
A Hawaiian picture-wing fly closely related to D. heteroneura but with a normally shaped head. It is found in wet forests on Hawaii Island. This species and D. heteroneura are a classic study system for understanding speciation in progress.
Did You Know?
D. silvestris and D. heteroneura can hybridize in the lab, providing key insights into how new species form through sexual selection.