Noon Fly vs Goatweed Leafwing
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Noon Fly | Goatweed Leafwing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mesembrina meridiana | Anaea andria |
| Order | Diptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Muscidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 10-13mm | 55-75 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Dung Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Central and Eastern United States, northern Mexico |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Noon Fly
A large stocky black fly with bright orange wing bases. It basks in sunshine on walls and fences at midday.
Did You Know?
Named for its habit of basking in the midday sun, often sitting motionless on warm surfaces around noon.
Goatweed Leafwing
A bright orange butterfly whose angular wing shape and mottled brown underside create a perfect dead-leaf disguise when at rest. It almost never visits flowers.
Did You Know?
It overwinters as an adult, hiding among dead leaves where its camouflage makes it virtually invisible.