Hornet Hoverfly vs Melon Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Hornet Hoverfly | Melon Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Volucella zonaria | Zeugodacus cucurbitae |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Tephritidae |
| Size | 18-22 mm | 6-8 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Farmland |
| Diet | Scavengers | Fruit Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, North Africa | Asia, Africa, Pacific Islands, Hawaii |
| 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.
Melon Fly
A reddish-yellow fruit fly that is a major pest of melons, cucumbers, and other cucurbits. It has spread from Asia to become invasive across tropical regions.
Did You Know?
Eradication of the melon fly from Okinawa was one of the most successful sterile insect programs in history.