Maritime Long-legged Fly vs Noisy Tachinid

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Maritime Long-legged Fly Noisy Tachinid
Scientific Name Aphrosylus praedator Tachina fera
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Dolichopodidae Tachinidae
Size 3-5 mm 9-14 mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Underground
Diet Predators Herbivores
Regions North America, Pacific Coast Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Maritime Long-legged Fly

A specialized marine intertidal fly that hunts on wave-splashed rocks and barnacles. It has a metallic greenish body and uniquely adapted legs for gripping wet rocky surfaces.

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Did You Know?

It can remain submerged by waves for short periods, surviving in an air bubble trapped by its body hairs.

Noisy Tachinid

A large tawny-orange tachinid fly commonly found basking on vegetation in late summer. It parasitizes noctuid moth caterpillars in European habitats.

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Did You Know?

It produces a loud buzzing sound in flight that is distinctly audible from several meters away.