Hornet Robber Fly vs Reindeer Warble Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Hornet Robber Fly | Reindeer Warble Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Asilus crabroniformis | Hypoderma tarandi |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Asilidae | Oestridae |
| Size | 18-28 mm | 13-17 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Heathland |
| Diet | Predators | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, North Africa | Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Siberia, Arctic Canada, Alaska |
| Conservation | Near Threatened (declining in northern Europe) | Least Concern |
Hornet Robber Fly
Europe's largest robber fly, a hornet mimic with a yellow-and-brown body that hunts dung beetles on grazed pastures. Females lay eggs in animal dung where larvae develop as predators.
Did You Know?
It specifically hunts dung beetles, and its larvae develop as predators inside cow pats and horse droppings.
Reindeer Warble Fly
A stout, furry fly that parasitizes reindeer and caribou. Females dart at reindeer to lay eggs on their legs. Larvae burrow through the skin and migrate through the body, creating warble lumps under the back skin.
Did You Know?
The buzzing of this fly causes reindeer to panic and stampede, and heavy infestations can reduce a reindeer's body weight by up to 25 percent.