Pied Hoverfly vs Drone Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Pied Hoverfly | Drone Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Scaeva pyrastri | Eristalis tenax |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 12-16 mm | 14-18 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Predators | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, North America | Europe, Asia, North America, Oceania |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Pied Hoverfly
A large, elegant hoverfly with white crescent-shaped markings on a dark abdomen. It is a strong migrant and beneficial aphid predator.
Did You Know?
Its white crescent markings distinguish it from nearly all other European hoverflies at a glance.
Drone Fly
A large hoverfly that is an excellent mimic of the honey bee, complete with similar coloring and buzzing flight. Its aquatic larva is known as a rat-tailed maggot due to its long breathing siphon.
Did You Know?
The rat-tailed maggot larva can breathe in heavily polluted water by extending its telescoping tail siphon up to 10 centimeters to reach the surface air.