Hoverfly vs Golden Dung Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Hoverfly | Golden Dung Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Episyrphus balteatus | Scathophaga stercoraria |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Scathophagidae |
| Size | 7-12 mm | 7-10 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Farmland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, Africa | Europe, Asia, North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Hoverfly
Excellent Batesian mimics of wasps and bees. Important pollinators often overlooked. Can hover perfectly stationary in mid-air and even fly backwards.
Did You Know?
Hoverflies are so skilled at hovering that they can maintain their exact position in space even in strong winds, adjusting wing beats up to 300 times per second.
Golden Dung Fly
A common furry yellow fly that gathers on fresh cow dung to mate and hunt.
Did You Know?
Males are fiercely competitive and wrestle each other for access to females on dung pats.