Long-legged Fly vs Great Pied Hoverfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Long-legged Fly | Great Pied Hoverfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dolichopus ungulatus | Volucella bombylans |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Dolichopodidae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 5-7 mm | 12-16 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Heathland |
| Diet | Herbivores | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Europe, Asia | Europe, North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Long-legged Fly
A small, slender fly with a brilliant metallic green body and long, thin legs. Males have modified leg structures used in elaborate courtship displays performed on leaves.
Did You Know?
Male long-legged flies perform an elaborate wing-waving courtship dance on sunlit leaves, displaying silvery wing patches to watching females like tiny semaphore signals.
Great Pied Hoverfly
A furry hoverfly that exists in multiple colour forms, each mimicking a different bumblebee species. Larvae develop inside bumblebee nests.
Did You Know?
Different colour forms mimic different bumblebee species, with some resembling red-tailed and others white-tailed bumblebees.