Larger Grain Borer vs Plain-faced Dronefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Larger Grain Borer Plain-faced Dronefly
Scientific Name Prostephanus truncatus Eristalis arbustorum
Order Coleoptera Diptera
Family Bostrichidae Syrphidae
Size 3-4.5 mm 9-11 mm
Habitat Gardens Gardens
Diet Omnivores Nectar Feeders
Regions Africa, Central America Europe, North America, Asia
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Larger Grain Borer

A devastating pest of stored maize and dried cassava in Africa. It can cause grain weight losses exceeding 30% in untreated stores.

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Did You Know?

A predatory beetle, Teretrius nigrescens, was introduced to Africa as a biological control agent against it.

Plain-faced Dronefly

A small, dark dronefly with a distinctive bare facial stripe. It is one of the most common hoverflies visiting garden flowers in summer.

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Did You Know?

It can be distinguished from other droneflies by the shiny, hairless stripe down the center of its face.