Hornet Hoverfly vs Forest Barklouse
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Hornet Hoverfly | Forest Barklouse |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Volucella zonaria | Caecilius fuscopterus |
| Order | Diptera | Psocoptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Caeciliusidae |
| Size | 18-22 mm | 2-3 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Scavengers | Herbivores |
| 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.
Forest Barklouse
A common bark louse found on the bark and foliage of trees across Europe. It has distinctive dark-bordered wings.
Did You Know?
It is frequently found on evergreen trees and shrubs in gardens.