Long Hoverfly vs March Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Long Hoverfly March Fly
Scientific Name Sphaerophoria scripta Bibio marci
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Syrphidae Bibionidae
Size 8-12 mm 10-13 mm
Habitat Farmland Underground
Diet Nectar Feeders Detritivores
Regions Europe, Asia, North Africa Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Long Hoverfly

A small, elongated hoverfly with a slender yellow-and-black striped abdomen. Males have an abdomen longer than their wings.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the most common hoverflies found in agricultural landscapes across Europe.

March Fly

A common black fly that swarms in large numbers around Saint Marks Day in April.

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Did You Know?

Mating pairs fly joined together with the smaller male dangling beneath the female.