Red-footed Robber Fly vs Long-winged Fungus Gnat

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Red-footed Robber Fly Long-winged Fungus Gnat
Scientific Name Dioctria rufipes Macrocera stigma
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Asilidae Mycetophilidae
Size 9-13 mm 5-8 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Herbivores Predators
Regions Europe, Western Asia Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Red-footed Robber Fly

A slender, metallic-dark robber fly with conspicuous orange-red legs found in European woodlands. It specializes in ambushing small flies and midges from sunlit perches on leaves.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the earliest robber flies to appear each year, often active from late spring when most other asilids are still developing.

Long-winged Fungus Gnat

A delicate fungus gnat with unusually long antennae and slender patterned wings. It is often found in shaded damp woodland where it hunts small insects.

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Did You Know?

Some Macrocera species have bioluminescent larvae, though less spectacularly than the cave glowworms.