Sand Robber Fly vs Tundra Blow Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Sand Robber Fly | Tundra Blow Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Philonicus albiceps | Protophormia terraenovae |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Asilidae | Calliphoridae |
| Size | 12-18 mm | 7-11 mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Predators | Carrion Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, North Africa | Arctic Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Scandinavia, northern Russia, Siberia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Sand Robber Fly
A pale sandy-colored robber fly found on coastal dunes and sandy heaths. It hunts other flies and small insects on open sand.
Did You Know?
Its pale coloration provides perfect camouflage against the sandy substrates where it hunts.
Tundra Blow Fly
A metallic dark blue blow fly common across Arctic and subarctic regions. It is one of the first flies to become active in spring. Adults are attracted to carrion and can detect dead animals from great distances.
Did You Know?
This fly is so cold-tolerant that it is used in forensic entomology to determine time of death in cold climates where other blow flies cannot survive.