Long-snouted March Fly vs Japanese Soldier Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Long-snouted March Fly Japanese Soldier Fly
Scientific Name Bibio lanigerus Ptecticus tenebrifer
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Bibionidae Stratiomyidae
Size 8-11 mm 10-14 mm
Habitat Orchards Forests
Diet Root Feeders Scavengers
Regions Europe East Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Long-snouted March Fly

A robust, hairy black march fly with a woolly thorax and relatively large body for the family. Adults emerge in spring and are frequently seen on hawthorn and blackthorn blossom.

💡

Did You Know?

Bibionidae larvae are sometimes so abundant in pasture soil that they can damage grass roots, leaving brown patches.

Japanese Soldier Fly

A slender soldier fly with a metallic greenish-black body and elongate antennae. It is commonly found near decaying organic matter in gardens and forests across East Asia.

💡

Did You Know?

Like the black soldier fly, species of Ptecticus are being studied as potential bioconversion agents for organic waste.