Hornet Hoverfly vs Pigeon Louse Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Hornet Hoverfly | Pigeon Louse Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Volucella zonaria | Pseudolynchia canariensis |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Hippoboscidae |
| Size | 18-22 mm | 5-7 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Scavengers | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, North Africa | Cosmopolitan - worldwide wherever pigeons occur |
| 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.
Pigeon Louse Fly
A flattened, tough-bodied blood-sucking fly found on pigeons and doves worldwide. It has a leathery appearance, strong claws, and wings that allow it to move between bird hosts.
Did You Know?
It is the primary vector of pigeon malaria, a Haemoproteus blood parasite that infects domestic and wild pigeons.