Hover Fly vs Venezuelan Pebble Toad Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Hover Fly | Venezuelan Pebble Toad Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Syrphus ribesii | Pantophthalmus bellardii |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Pantophthalmidae |
| Size | 10-13 mm | 30-40 mm body length |
| Habitat | Underground | Woodlands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Europe, Asia | South America (Venezuela, Brazil, Colombia, Peru) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Hover Fly
A bright yellow and black banded hoverfly that is an excellent wasp mimic. It hovers motionless in sunbeams before darting to a new position with extraordinary agility.
Did You Know?
Hoverflies are the only insects besides hummingbirds and hawk-moths that can truly hover in one spot, fly backward, and fly sideways with precision.
Venezuelan Pebble Toad Fly
One of the largest flies in the world, with robust bodies reaching 40 mm and a wingspan exceeding 70 mm. The larvae develop inside rotting tree trunks. Adults resemble large bumblebees and are strong, buzzing fliers attracted to fermenting sap.
Did You Know?
It is among the largest flies on Earth, with larvae that bore through hardwood so effectively they were once thought to be beetle larvae.