Pellucid Hoverfly vs Face Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Pellucid Hoverfly | Face Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Volucella pellucens | Musca autumnalis |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Muscidae |
| Size | 14-17 mm | 7-8 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Farmland |
| Diet | Scavengers | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, Western Asia | Europe, North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Pellucid Hoverfly
A large black hoverfly with a striking translucent white band across its abdomen. Its larvae are inquilines in the underground nests of social wasps.
Did You Know?
Its translucent white abdominal band makes it look like it has a window in its body, unlike any other hoverfly.
Face Fly
A non-biting muscid fly that feeds on secretions around the eyes and nose of cattle. It is a mechanical vector of the cattle pinkeye pathogen Moraxella bovis.
Did You Know?
It enters homes in large numbers each autumn to overwinter, hence the name autumnalis.