Hornet Hoverfly vs Banded Fungus Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Hornet Hoverfly | Banded Fungus Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Volucella zonaria | Triplax russica |
| Order | Diptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Erotylidae |
| Size | 18-22 mm | 3-5 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Scavengers | Fungus Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, North Africa | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Hornet Hoverfly
Europe's largest hoverfly and a convincing hornet mimic with bold yellow-and-brown banding. Its larvae develop as scavengers in the nests of social wasps and hornets.
Did You Know?
Its larvae live inside hornet nests, feeding on dead wasps and nest debris while being ignored by the colony.
Banded Fungus Beetle
A small, attractively colored beetle with a red thorax and dark blue-black elytra. Lives on bracket fungi on dead trees. Part of a family known for bright coloring.
Did You Know?
The contrasting red and blue-black coloring makes this one of the most attractive fungus beetles.