Ornate Soldier Fly vs Notch-horned Cleg

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Ornate Soldier Fly Notch-horned Cleg
Scientific Name Odontomyia ornata Haematopota pluvialis
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Stratiomyidae Tabanidae
Size 8-12 mm 8-12 mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Hedgerows
Diet Herbivores Blood Feeders
Regions Europe Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Ornate Soldier Fly

A medium-sized soldier fly with a green and black patterned abdomen and a somewhat flattened body. Adults are sluggish fliers often found basking on waterside vegetation.

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Did You Know?

Its aquatic larvae have a unique hydrophobic tail fringe that acts as a breathing snorkel at the water surface.

Notch-horned Cleg

A grey horse fly with mottled wings that approaches silently before biting. It is one of the most common biting flies in Europe.

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Did You Know?

Unlike most horse flies, the cleg approaches completely silently, landing and biting before being noticed.