Rothschild's Achias vs Plain-faced Dronefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Rothschild's Achias Plain-faced Dronefly
Scientific Name Achias rothschildi Eristalis arbustorum
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Platystomatidae Syrphidae
Size 15-18 mm 9-11 mm
Habitat Forests Gardens
Diet Sap Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Papua New Guinea Europe, North America, Asia
Conservation Data Deficient Least Concern

Rothschild's Achias

A remarkable Papua New Guinean fly where males have enormously elongated eye stalks. Males use their extended eyes to size up rivals. Has the largest head capsule of any known insect.

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Did You Know?

Has the largest head capsule relative to body size of any insect, with eye stalks wider than its body.

Plain-faced Dronefly

A small, dark dronefly with a distinctive bare facial stripe. It is one of the most common hoverflies visiting garden flowers in summer.

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Did You Know?

It can be distinguished from other droneflies by the shiny, hairless stripe down the center of its face.