Scarlet Robber Fly vs Long Hoverfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Scarlet Robber Fly Long Hoverfly
Scientific Name Laphria flava Sphaerophoria scripta
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Asilidae Syrphidae
Size 15-25 mm 8-12 mm
Habitat Woodlands Farmland
Diet Predators Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe, Northern Asia Europe, Asia, North Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Scarlet Robber Fly

A bumblebee-mimicking robber fly covered in dense golden-yellow hair. It preys on insects visiting flowers at woodland edges.

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Did You Know?

Its dense yellow pile makes it one of the most convincing bumblebee mimics among robber flies.

Long Hoverfly

A small, elongated hoverfly with a slender yellow-and-black striped abdomen. Males have an abdomen longer than their wings.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the most common hoverflies found in agricultural landscapes across Europe.